Page 79 of Golden Rule

I breathe a sigh of relief, seeing all the pieces coming together. I mentally prepared for the surprises that come with a demo, and for the tedium of the design phase, but the paperwork has been the bane of my existence. Luckily, Seth’s taken on a lot of that headache, which has lightened my load.

“Everything all good?” West asks, and his eyes flit down toward my phone when I tuck it back inside my purse.

“Yep, everything’s perfect, actually. We’re on track to start making some real progress soon.”

My heart actually feels lighter saying those words.

“Hm. So… it was Seth again.”

I pause to yawn, having been up half the night anticipating today’s visit with Dr. Tyler. “Yeah, he was just giving me an update. The inspection is on the schedule, and we’re one permit away from havingthatnightmare behind us, so, yeah, things are moving along quite nicely.”

West nods slowly. “Good. I know that’s been stressing you out.”

“Big time. Seth stepped in and dealt with the inspector and the permit drama, so everything’s on the up-and-up. Finally,” I add with a laugh.

I haven’t been this settled in weeks. I’ve remained optimistic, but I know once I start with the next phase of treatment, I’ll be even more grateful to have someone else who’s capable of handling the issues that are sure to arise.

I’m mid-thought when I catch a glimpse of West in my peripheral vision. His jaw is tense and despite his phone still being open to the group chat with his brothers, his eyes are straight ahead, focused on the wall behind Dr. Tyler’s desk. He’s clearly irritated, but I’m not sure what’s caused the shift in his mood.

“What’s wrong?”

He doesn’t answer right away, and since he’s been chatting with his brothers, my natural assumption is thatthey’rethe source of his frustration.

“I’m good,” he grumbles. “Just wondering why Seth’s little update couldn’t wait until your meeting later.”

I stare at him a moment, kind of shocked by what I’m seeing.

“West Golden,” I say with a smile, turning in my seat to face him. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

He relaxes some when I drape an arm behind his neck, stroking his ear.

“No, I’m just aware.”

“Of?” I smile.

“Of how many times a day this guy calls, of how every pic Pandora posts captures him looking like he wants to take a fucking bite out of your ass.”

I don’t mean to laugh, but I do.

He resists for two-point-five seconds when I lift out of my seat just enough to hug him around his neck, rapid-firing kisses underneath his jaw.

“Cut that shit out,” he grumbles, trying his best not to laugh.

“I would, but you’re so stinkin’ cute when you’re jealous!”

I feel his cheek tighten with a grin when I kiss him there next.

“Listen, I’m smiling because you’re fucking ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean I’m being any less serious, Blue.”

“I know,” I mumble against his face, kissing him again.

“I’m never wrong about this shit. Seth’s just waiting for the right time to make a move. I can feel it in my fucking bones.”

I lower back into my seat, playfully rolling my eyes. “Now you sound like Scar.”

In my peripheral vision, I note the second his eyes flit toward me, and I regret my words immediately.

“She saw it, too. Which means I’m fucking right,” he grumbles.

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