Carved in Her Bones

Tomas

We land, and almost immediately, some ridiculously friendly guy in a Range Rover pulls up to pick us up.

Then—before I can even process what's happening—he sweeps Rhian into a bear hug and lifts her into the air like they're in some damn rom-com.

And she's giggling.

For someone who just kissed a guy for the first time, she sure has a lot of male friends.

"Ronan, this is Tomas and his friend Damian," she introduces us once her feet are back on solid ground.

Damian, ever the opportunist, chimes in, "I'm her friend too, actually. Since two hours ago."

Rhian laughs at that.

I do not.

"Guys, this is Ronan," she adds, grinning.

We all climb into the car. I don't even fight Damian for shotgun because, frankly, I want to sit in the back with her.

As we drive, Ronan glances back with a smirk. "Your mum's gone all out, Tee. It's insane." He gives her a small wink.

Tee?

I hate how I sound right now, but what the hell?

I spent practically every day with this girl for three months, and I'm just now finding out that someone calls her Tee?

Rhian doesn't even get the chance to answer because he does.

"Oh," Ronan says casually. "Rhiannon's first name is Thandaza. We all just call her Tee sometimes."

...I blink.

Wait.

I knew that. Didn't I?

The first concert I went to, the playbill had her listed as Thandaza R. Howells.

I like it.

The name.

Not the fact that this guy calls her that.

We finally pull into what can only be described as a mansion.

Rhian turns to me with a smile. "I thought you guys could stay at Gigi's."

I relax a little at that.

I know Gigi. I adore the woman.

Damian, however, mutters under his breath, "Who the hell is Gigi?"

Rhian grins. "My grandmother."

I swear I see the color drain from his face.