Page 59 of Just My Luck

I gestured toward my nephew. “Bringing the kid into this? That’s unfair.”

She laughed and handed him to me across the desk before crossing her arms. “I had to do something. It’s been a week since the Wild Iris, and you’re ignoring my texts. Royal even said he hasn’t seen you skulking around town.”

I frowned. “I don’t skulk.”

She shot me a plain look. “Sure you don’t.”

“Whatever.” I distracted myself by bouncing Gus on my lap. “I’ve been busy.”

“Ha!” She barked a laugh at the ceiling. “I know... you married my best friend, remember? Then moved her and the kids into your house. I need details.”

“Isn’t that what girl talk is for?” When Gus reached for a pen, I tucked it away, earning me a frustrated squeal.

Her arms were still crossed. “Maybe I want to know your intentions, that’s all.”

“Intentions?” I frowned at her. “You know what this is... my house is a temporary safe space for her and the twins while the Robinson place is rebuilt. The marriage helped her get access to her money, and she’s investing in the brewery. That’s it.” The empty words were leaden in my gut.

“That’s it, huh?” Her eyebrow raised to her hairline, and I knew that she knew it was total bullshit. “Is that why you’re wearing a wedding band?”

I sighed and bounced Gus. “Things are... complicated. I’m just trying to keep it together.”

She rounded my desk and held out her arms for her son. I hoisted him up. “Maybe don’t try so hard, okay? Sometimes it’s okay to just... be. Let things unfold naturally.”

I let her words sink in and nodded. “I will try to take that advice.”

Sylvie propped Gus back onto her hip. “Besides, I’m not here to see you. I’m kidnapping Sloane.”

I opened my palms and shot her awhat the fuck?look. “She’s working.” My sister didn’t need to know that I liked having Sloane around and I didn’t like the fact our time at the brewery would be cut short if she left.

Sylvie rolled her eyes. “Figure it out. She needs a new dress.”

“Dress?” My brows pitched down. “For what?”

Sylvie sighed. “The Bluebirds caught wind of the impromptu wedding. They’re throwing Sloane a belated wedding shower.”

I nearly choked on my own tongue. The Bluebird Book Club was an unofficial organization of Outtatowner’s meddling women. Ladies from all families—including Kings and Sullivans—got together to gossip and plot. I suspected they’d never discussed a single book. “A what?”

Sylvie shrugged. “It couldn’t be helped. Aunt Bug and I decided it was best to not blow your cover and just go with it. This is happening.”

My heart raced. “Does Sloane know?”

“That’s why I’m here. I’m breaking the news.” She hugged Gus close again. “His cuteness works on her too.”

My nephew giggled and blew spit bubbles. I sat back, listening to the chair groan under my weight.

“Will you be gone long?” I asked.

She shrugged. “As long as it takes, I guess. Why? Keeping tabs on your girl?”

I rolled my eyes despite the fact that was exactly what I was doing. “The twins have some kind of library camp thing. Just making sure they’re taken care of.”

Sylvie laughed. “Bug is handling that. She and Bax are going to do a little grandchild trade-off. It’s taken care of, I promise.”

I grumbled, annoyed that my simple logic of using the twins as an excuse hadn’t worked. With a frustrated sigh, I reached behind me and pulled out my wallet.

Resigned, I deposited several large bills onto my desk. “Don’t let her pay for the dress herself. You don’t have to tell her it’s from me, but”—I gestured toward the money—“there you go.”

Sylvie plucked the bills off the desk with a huge smile. “I knew there was a teddy bear hiding in there somewhere.”

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