Page 149 of One Big Little Secret

It’s only midday, too early to wonder if this is the day she’ll leave this office leaking my come.

Any second now, Archer and Dex will show up for a meeting about the Minnesota expansion scheme. With any luck, Salem will come, too.

I dropped by The Cardinal this morning to suggest she attend.

Not because I’m hopelessly obsessed.

We agreed we weren’t cut out for secrets. The sooner we fess up, the better, and there’s no time like the present to assess what my brothers will really think of her being more than our star talent.

In a burst of madness,Isuggested we figure out what this is soon, so we won’t have to manage these secrets for long.

So now I’m due for another dinner where I’ll watch Arlo, noticing all the little things I never caught before. He’s inherited my hair and my eyes and my focus. Sure, it’s all invested in drawing right now, but I used to be like him as a kid.

Razor-sharp. Always bouncing from one thing to the next. How the fuck did I miss it?

A handful, that’s what Mom called me. And Arlo, he’s growing up just like me despite the fact that I haven’t raised him.

Genetics are crazy.

Mrs. Potter, our receptionist who’s pushing sixty and also one of the most organized people I know, pops her head through the door.

“Archer called to say he’d be late,” she tells me. “And Dexter should be here any second. I’m just heading out and thought I’d let you know since it’s my half day.”

I wave at her and check my phone just as it vibrates with a message from Salem.

Running late and traffic sucks but I’ll be there.

I shuffle in my seat, trying not to fixate on her and failing for the dozenth time today, until Dexter finally shows up with a scowl.

“I figured I’d be late, coming from the bakery,” he said. “One bad bout of freezing rain and every road in this city goes to shit.”

“You are late, Dex, freezing rain aside.”

“Whatever. I thought I’d be the last one in.”

“Everyone else is flakier than you today, I guess,” I say, watching as he sits down and checks the time on his phone like the OCD control freak he is.

Honestly, ever since he married Junie, his timekeeping has gotten worse—but at least he’s also started apologizing like a real human.

Apparently, youcanteach a grumpy old dog new tricks.

“Where’s Archer?” I ask.

“Think he had to deal with some school thing for Colt,” Dexter says.

My phone lights up with another message from Salem to let me know she’s halfway here.

“Who’s that? Someone special?” Dexter asks, nodding at the phone. “Have you finally met a girl who doesn’t want to stab you with a pen after two days?”

“I meet a lot of girls, Dex. The benefits of not being strapped down with that prison badge.” I nod at the wedding band on his hand, inwardly laughing at what a lying asshole I am.

I’m a father now, and by some insane twist of fate, Iwantto be strapped down more.

“Maybe so, you prick, but most of them don’t make you look at your phone like that.”

“Like what?” I shrug, feigning ignorance as my face heats.

“Thatsmile. Trust me, I know the one.”

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