Page 28 of Shelter for Morgan

Rhett had a feeling that they were about to meddle in his life.

"So, we were thinking that we should organize a shift picnic or something like that."

Kylie easily picked up Thora's thread of thought as if they'd discussed it ahead of time. "We could have a barbecue at the house and get to know Morgan a little more."

Rhett looked at them and shook his head and fought off a smile, biting it back. "I can't speak for Morgan's schedule," he explained, "but I'll bring her if she wants to come with me."

The two women shared a knowing look and Rhett felt a moment of panic wondering what they were thinking about.

"Hey! How's my-"

The two women turned from him to Rush as he came into the room.

Oliver Quintero clamped his lips together in record speed. Thora moved to his side to explain the situation, but Kylie stayed beside him.

"Rhett?"

He dragged his gaze away from Morgan and Gia to look at Kylie.

"How are you doing? Sharing an apartment has to be a bit of an adjustment."

Rhett had to wonder how much his friends and their women were talking about him.

He had a feeling he might have been really irritated by it before but seeing Kylie's radiant smile directed at him felt... good.

"I was worried about it before, but once she got there and she was in my space... it wasn't bad at all."

Kylie nodded and watched him carefully like she was trying to decipher some kind of code from his expression.

Instead of trying to hide his face from her, he let her look.

That alone surprised her, but she just looked even deeper. "It's good to see you smiling, Rhett. She's changed you even in just the short time that she's been here in San Antonio, but I hear it's just a short-term thing?"

Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Everyone's been talking?"

Kylie nudged his arm. "You know the family."

He nodded. He did in fact know their family. "I don't know how comfortable I am being the subject of discussion. I don't normally participate in the group chats."

She dropped her chin and gave him a half-smile. "You never participate in the chats unless someone asks you a direct question."

Apparently, even though he tried to keep a little apart from the group, they were keeping tabs on him anyway.

"So..."

She paused as Rush reached in and expertly freed Morgan's hair from Gia's grip before he picked her up.

Thora waved at them, and Rhett and Kylie waved back as Rush walked them out to their car.

Kylie turned back to look at him. "Here comes my direct question, Rhett."

He slowly lowered his head to look her in the eye. "Okay."

"What if this doesn't end up as temporary as it's supposed to be?"

Rhett felt his brow pinch above his nose. "Morgan can stay as long as she wants. She keeps trying to pay me rent, but I've told her I don't need the money."

"You-"

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