Chloe opened her mouth to argue but shrugged instead after looking at Josie’s not so innocent expression.
“I’m so glad I avoided the protective older brother zone,” Madison sighed. “It would have made the fantasies I had so inappropriate.”
“Maddie!” Josie laughed and covered her face. “We’ve talked about this. You aren’t allowed to talk about my brother like that when you’re within a three-mile radius of me.”
Chloe giggled when Madison waved her hand dismissively. “When have I ever listened?”
“Never.” Josie dropped her hands in defeat and wrapped them around her coffee cup.
Holden turned from the stove and placed plates stacked with pancakes in front of each of the girls. “How about you girls dig in so you stop talking? Please.” The girls laughed quietly and nodded in agreement.
“This is so much better than the instant oatmeal I had for breakfast yesterday.” Chloe shoveled another bite into her mouth and closed her eyes.
“Careful, you’ll cause Holden to have a stroke saying things like that.” Madison patted Holden’s back and poked out her lip out, mock pity coloring her expression.
“I’m completely outnumbered,” Holden mumbled. “Where the hell is Anders?”
Madison gasped and Josie’s mouth fell open. Chloe looked between the two of them, wide-eyed. She had no idea why they seemed so shocked by Holden’s comment, but Chloe was more concerned about the possibility of meeting Hollywood royalty in her pajamas.
“If I didn’t know better, Holden, I’d swear you sounded annoyed by his absence,” Madison said, her expression suspicious.
“But that’s impossible,” Josie added with a smirk.
“Can you blame me for wanting him here? His ability to go tit for tat with the two of you is what makes him tolerable. What good is he if he’s not around now that you two have multiplied?”
Josie flung her napkin at Holden. “You make us sound like Mogwais.”
“I wouldn’t feed any of you after midnight,” he grumbled as he stood.
“I feel like I’m missing something,” Chloe said, her face colored with confusion.
“Well, these two can fill you in. I have to get to work. Chloe, it was great seeing you again. We’ll get together for dinner before you leave for the tour.” Holden leaned over and gave her a hug before moving to Madison’s side.
“Sounds great.”
“Try to behave,” Holden said as he gave Madison a quick kiss. “See you later, Josie.”
As soon as the front door shut, Chloe turned toward Madison and Josie. “Does Holden not like Anders?”
“No one actually likes Anders,” Madison answered. “Well, I suppose Josie likes him, but I’m not sure even that’s on a consistent basis.”
“Shut up, Maddie. I like him just fine. When I don’t want to kill him, that is.”
“We have so much catching up to do,” Chloe sighed.
“You’ll meet Mr. Wonderful soon enough. I promise all your questions will be answered the moment he opens his mouth.”
“Don’t be mean, Maddie. Anders is—” Josie paused and scrunched her brows before shaking her head. “Never mind. I want to hear all about Reid and the tour.”
Chloe smiled then groaned when she looked at the clock. “I need to shower. I have to get ready and be at the studio by eleven. How about later tonight?”
“How about we plan for tomorrow night? Maddie and I will be on set this afternoon, and we might be late. Here.” Josie pulled a spare key out of the kitchen drawer and handed it to Chloe. “Take this in case you’re home before me.”
Chloe reached out and took the key. “I know I’ve said it before, but it’s so cool that you guys work together. Being costume designers is badass.”
“It pays the bills,” Josie laughed. “Hopefully by tomorrow night, you’ll have more details about Reid for us.”
Chloe laughed at Josie’s and Madison’s exaggerated smiles. “We’ll see. I’ll have to stop staring like an idiot if I plan to have an actual conversation with him.”
Madison backed out of the room and cut her eyes to Josie with an expression that could only be described as devious. “Well, you’re in the perfect place if you want to know how to get over feeling shy around famous hot guys. No assembly required, just a sturdy wall.”
“Maddie!” Josie’s face turned bright red, but it was obvious to Chloe that she was fighting back a laugh.
“Bye!” Madison yelled, laughter trailing behind her.
Chloe looked at Josie and lifted her brow. “A wall, huh?”
Josie groaned, the blush slowly fading from her skin. “Don’t ask.”
“Oh, I totally plan to ask. For now, though, I have to get ready, so you get a pass.”
“I’m going to kill Maddie,” Josie grumbled.
“You wouldn’t last a day without her. You two are a package deal.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Josie moved to Chloe and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’m sorry I disappeared. Life got in the way.”