Page 222 of Things Left Unsaid

“No compliments for him allowed,” she agrees with a cackle. “I didn’t realize it was your hotel when you brought us here for our wedding night.”

“It wasn’t relevant.”

A smirk dances on lips I want to devour. “I can deal with being the owner’s dirty little secret.”

I rub my thumb over her rings. “How are you a dirty little secret?”

“The staff won’t know I’m your wife, will they? Unless you have a newsletter that goes out with family announcements in it. They might think I’m your mistress—thisisthe second time you’ve brought me around…”

“Fair point,” I mock as I lean in. “But I’ll let you onto something that is a secret.”

She leans in too. The faint scent of her musky perfume hits me and makes me want to bury my face in her throat. “What is it?”

“I’m going to introduce you as my wife.” I tap her nose. “That way they’ll know you’re their boss as well.”

“That’s boring!”

“The truth often is.”

She ignores my teasing. “We could have a whole moment, Colt!”

“You want to be Julia Roberts to my Richard Gere, huh?”

Her eyes close. “You’ve watchedPretty Woman?”

“My brothers are Cole and Callan, sweetheart. I’ve seen more rom-coms than I would like to admit to.”

Those crazy long lashes of hers flutter. “Stop being perfect.”

I hide a smile. “Wanna watch it together?”

“It’s my favorite movie so, yes. But don’t tell Tee. She’s already jealous of Callan. If she thinks she has to share her favorite movie with you too, she’ll end up moving in when she comes to visit for the BBQ.”

“She can if she wants.”

“Huh?”

“She can stay with us for a while if she wants. Not like we don’t have plenty of room.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But?”

She blinks. “Guys don’t let BFFs move in with them.”

“Have you seen the size of our house? And anyway, she makes you happy and I think, from what you’ve said, she isn’t doing so well in New York. She reminds me of Callan, to be honest.”

“She does?”

“Yeah. All big feelings with no vent. It’s like their brains know too much so they feel too much and see too much. Vicious circle. People like that have a person they can depend on. I’m that for Callan and you’re that for Tee.”

“She’s not a burden,” she argues.

“I never said she was.” I settle a look at her. “Callan’s not a burden either.

“Ask her. She can if she wants. If she doesn’t, she can go back to New York.”

“You’re nuts.”

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