Page 71 of Sworn to Protect

His gaze flicks to me, hesitating. “Is Nateback at the house?”

“Yeah.”

He nods. “I need to talk to him. Are you guys going to Halfway Inn Friday night?”

“We hadn’t planned on it. Why?”

“They’re celebrating Sabrina McMahon’s latest record’s success. It’s basically an excuse for everyone to get together and drink.” He smirks. “It’d be a good way for Nate to meet more people. You know, make him lesselusive.”

I exhale. “I’ve heard people talking about that.”

Mark chuckles. “Small-town folks love a mystery.”

More than you realize.

“I heard Sabrina married a Cobbs. Someone’s going to have to fill me in.”

“What? Linda doesn’t visit you enough?”

I grin. “I’ve been dodging her. Jill handles her.”

Jill appears just then, arms full of Styrofoam cups. “It’s true. And don’t think she’s joking.”

Mark laughs, and the sound is familiar. Comforting, even.

“Well, think about Friday,” he says, flashing a grin that used to make my teenage heart stutter. Now? Not so much. But Jill…

Jill looks way too starry-eyed.

When he leaves, I spin on her. “What was that?”

“What?” She feigns innocence.

“That wasn’t nothing.”

She laughs, reaching for a gift bag beneath the counter. “Speaking ofsomething,I got you a little present.”

I eye the bag warily. “What did you do?”

She shrugs. “Call it The Enticer.”

I open the bag, pull out a slinky black lace number, and immediately shove it back inside. “Oh myGod. You didn’t.”

Jill smirks. “My cousin had another one of those sex parties. Unless I wanted a butt plug, a present for you was my best bet.”

I gape at her. “This issoinappropriate.”

“You’re welcome.”

I take another peek at the negligee. Damn, itissexy. “Um, thanks?”

She laughs. “Oh, you’ll be thanking me when that sexy man of yours decides to stay.”

Blushing, I pull out my phone and dial. “Mom, I need a favor for Friday night.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

NATE

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