Page 118 of Ever With Me

She let out a cry of happiness and came racing out of the bathroom toward him. Throwing her arms around him, she held him tight, nearly knocking him backward. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? I was ready to cry thinking you’d be packing up in a couple of hours.”

He tugged her to rest against him and lay back on the bed. “I mean, I’ve been a little busy since I made the arrangement. But it turns out I’m going to need to be close to Baltimore anyway for my arraignment. And I met someone. She lives here, so I don’t want to exactly take off just as things are getting started with her.”

She ran her fingers against his chest. “And what happens on the weekends when you’re not able to stay here?”

“Well . . . maybe the girl could take me in. Or, if not, I could fly her to Paris. Abu Dhabi. Banff. You know, anywhere she wants to spend a romantic weekend with yours truly.”

“Can you fly internationally while on bail?”

“It’s a misdemeanor, so I sure as hell hope so.” He kissed the top of her head. “Any place you want to see? I’ll get us tickets for next weekend. I probably would advise against Abu Dhabi since it’s like a thirteen-hour flight, but my jet has a bed so it could be a fun one.”

She propped her chin on his chest. “You know, I had almost forgotten you’re like insanely rich until you said that. Now I just feel intimidated.” Leaning up farther, she searched his eyes, her hair draping his face. “And does this mean . . . we’re dating?”

Funny how, with her, this conversation didn’t come with the level of stress that it had in the past. Despite their conversation the night before, he understood her need to put a label on their relationship. But “defining what we are” had always had such a weightiness to it, usually involving official confirmations and press releases. Especially when the match was a setup.

With her, it meant giving her whatever title made her feel more comfortable with their arrangement. He just wanted to make her happy.

“It means we can be whatever you want to be. I’m completely at your mercy. But if the role of boyfriend is open, I’d love to apply.”

From her expression, it was clear he’d given her the right answer.

A knock on the door pulled their attention away. “Uncle Books! Uncle Books!”

Brooks smiled at the sound of Audrey’s voice. “One sec,” he called out.

Maddie pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I’m going to shower. Make me some coffee, will you?”

“Anything for you, babe.”

She grinned, then headed back to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Damn.Much as he loved Audrey, he was tempted to tell her he was still sleeping and go join Maddie in that shower.

Instead, he got dressed and went to the door, where Audrey stood patiently waiting for him. She threw her arms around his leg, nearly hitting him in the junk, and he winced. “Hey, kiddo. Have a good time at the festival yesterday?”

“Uncle Books! Logan is gonna take me for a pony wide today.”

Brooks picked her up and carried her down the hallway toward the kitchen. “Really? A real live pony or one in a merry-go-round?”

Her eyes were giant, her eyebrows with the wide exaggerations of childhood innocence. “A live one! Wight, Mr. Logan?”

Brooks jerked his head up in surprise as he reached the living room, where Logan and Kayla sat beside each other on the couch, drinking from matching coffee mugs. Logan had clearly spent the night.

Cormac gave a jaunty wave from the kitchen, where he was frying bacon. “Morning, sunshine. Good night for the Yardleys and the Kents, I see.”

Awkward.

“Morning, Cormac.”Jackass.Brooks avoided Logan’s gaze as he set Audrey down. Whether the man was sleeping with his sister, he had to know that Brooks was banging Maddie. Her car was parked in the driveway, and that kiss on the stage had likely confirmed any suspicions.

Hopefully, the walls were soundproof. They hadn’t exactly been quiet the night before.

They had to be—he hadn’t heard anyone even come in last night.

“So I hear you’re heading for a pony ride?” Brooks asked Kayla.

She smiled, setting her hand on Logan’s knee. “Yeah, Logan has a friend who owns a horse farm. We figured it would be fun for Audrey before we have to drive back to Virginia tonight.”

“Well, just so you know, I’m extending the rental. We don’t have to be out of here until Friday. And then I can continue renting the house for all the weekdays in September.”

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