Page 64 of Trouble

What the hell was I thinking, using my escape with them?

“I don’t know if I could share like that, Cap,” Colby says to Dane.

On my other side, Dane grunts. “I’ll give my wife to anyone who will take her.”

Colby laughs, but the comment leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Dane and his wife have been having troubles, and I can’t say I like the woman even a little, but that isn’t what has my stomach souring.

Shawn appears out of nowhere and slaps me on the back. “They’re talking about our book for book club.”

I roll my eyes.That’swhat has me squirming. “Is there nowhere safe?”

“Nope,” Mason grumbles.

Mason may be the one person here who talks less than I do. ThoughI’ve heard rumors that he has no trouble rambling to the reindeer on his farm and the kittens that never seem to age.

“But we promised Mel we wouldn’t talk about it until tomorrow,” Shawn adds, cocking a brow and pinning Colby with a look.

This is the book Melina is reading along with them?

Turning, I take a step closer to Dane. If Colby heard me, he wouldn’t know how to stay quiet. Everything about the kid is loud. “Sharing?”

Shawn leans in—apparently that single word wasn’t quiet enough. “I told you to ask Mel about it.”

I affect the impassive expression I perfected years ago and look between the two of them, waiting for an explanation.

Dane chuckles. “Two best friends fall for the same woman.”

Despite my flat look, heat creeps up my neck, so I turn, hoping like hell they don’t notice. “So they share her?” I ask in what I hope is an even tone, keeping my attention focused on the truck.

Shawn chuckles. “I don’t give spoilers. Ya gotta read the book. But…”

His pause has me turning to face him.

Fucker is smiling that damn knowing smile. “Mel already asked if she could pick the next one and told me in it, the guys don’tjustshare her.”

I scowl. “What the hell does that mean?”

He shrugs. “Ask Mel.”

CHAPTER 27

Cade

With her lippulled between her teeth, Mel studies her phone, then taps the screen like she’s sending a text. All afternoon, we’ve strolled down Hope Street, perusing the shops and admiring the Christmas decorations in each one. Mel has purchased at least one thing from every store, like she wants to support the shop owners, and she’s only too happy to talk to each one of them, taking her time to smile for pictures when they ask and asking questions about the history of each place.

Between shops, she creates stories about each couple we pass. Made-up tidbits that are so detailed, I’d swear they were true if I didn’t actually know most of the people she’s spinning complex stories about.

“Something making you smile?”Or someone?That’s what I really want to ask. I’m greedy. I’d rather not share those smiles with anyone but Dec.

She turns the phone to face me, showing me the message thread.

Declan: Can’t Keep Our Hands to Ourselves?

“Declan texts you?” I say, chest tightening.

She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

Fuck, he really likes her.

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