Page 22 of Craving You

“That he was. When he died, my mom swore she couldn’t go through that again and I don’t blame her. But every once in a while, I feel like maybe I want to go to the shelter and adopt a dog that needs a home.” Sighing, she added, “It just feels wrong to do it and then leave the poor little guy locked up in an apartment all day and not have a yard for him to run around in.”

“It was one of the selling points for the house,” Marcus said as he sat back down. “I work from home, so they get to go outside and get out a lot of that puppy energy.”

“This house is amazing,” she gushed. “Max was saying how you’re still doing work on it, but it doesn’t look like it needs anything.”

“I’ll give you the tour!” Billie said, jumping to her feet.

“Awesome!”

Max shifted in his spot on the sofa and watched as Billie led Hailey from the room. Once they were out of sight, he turned and found his brother watching him with a smirk on his face. “What? What’s so funny?”

“I’m not laughing,” Marcus said dryly.

“But…?”

“But…you’re practically drooling. Don’t make things awkward.”

“I wasn’t drooling and I’m not making anything awkward. Hailey and I already reconnected over at Books & Beans and everything’s fine. Plus, I texted her after brunch the other day. We’re good. I swear.”

Liar.

“I wouldn’t say spending fifteen minutes chatting over coffee is really reconnecting, but…”

Shrugging, Max figured it was better to say nothing—less chance of him blurting out the news.

“Did Hailey mention why she’s here in Sweetbriar? Did she get an interview up at Summit Ridge?”

“Interview? Why would she have an interview up there?”

“Damn. I guess that’s not it then.”

“I’m confused. Why would you think she has an interview at the resort?”

“She mentioned that at some point during the wedding weekend hoopla. She said she’d love to work at a resort like Summit Ridge to teach yoga or something. I just thought maybe she inquired and that’s why she’s here. I’m sure my beautiful wife is trying to pump her for information while giving her a tour of the house.”

“Um…maybe…” he murmured. “That does sound like something Billie would do.”

“I know, right? And Hailey didn’t mention anything to you about why she’s here?”

Dude, she mentioned everything to me…

Thankfully, he kept that to himself, and instead shook his head. “Nope. She was pretty vague with me too.”

“Don’t you think it’s strange that she’s being so secretive?”

“Not at all,” he said smoothly. “Maybe she just wanted to see me again and it’s none of anyone’s business. Did you ever think of that?”

“Nope.”

So many snarky comments were on the tip of his tongue, but he stayed quiet. “I hear all the Donovans are coming for dinner this weekend. How do you feel about that?”

“It was a little weird at first because I swear they are together all the time. Now I’m getting used to it and it’s kind of fun. Plus, we have the most space, so we can spread out a bit. I’m looking forward to showing Reid, Tanner, and Levi what I did with the basement.”

Max snorted with amusement. “Look at you wanting to impress your friends. That’s adorable.”

“Shut up. That’s not what this is. I’m taking pride in my home and making it a place my family enjoys coming to. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’ll be the same way when you find a place of your own.”

“I hope so. All the time I planned on moving back to Sweetbriar Ridge, I never imagined I wouldn’t be able to find a house.”

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