Page 54 of Stick Work

We both laugh. “We won’t.”

“Coffee and chicken pot pie coming up,” she confirms, giving Gina a quick nod before hurrying off to the back like she needs a second to compose herself—and honestly, I totally get it. Elias has that effect on me too.

Gina hurries over, throwing her arms around herself like she’s trying to warm herself after coming in from the cold. “What are you two doing here?”

We both stand up and give Gina a hug, and I have to lean in because her baby bump is so huge. “Where’s your mountain man?” I ask as we embrace.

“Home doing homework with Zoe.” She rubs her tummy. “She missed her daddy so I wanted to give them some alone time.” A warm loving smile comes over her face, and it wraps around my heart. I haven’t really known her long, but from what I understand she had it rough, and Ash was her rock from early on. Now they’re married and so happy with a baby on the way, and it oddly enough stirs a pang of jealousy inside me.

But I don’t want that. At least not for a few more years, I quickly remind myself as my gaze slides to Elias as he gives Gina a hug. Avery comes back with coffee and when Elias sits down, that’s when I notice the way Gina is watching me. I quickly avert my gaze.

“Thanks.” I reach for the milk when Avery sets the cup in front of me and fills it with coffee from the carafe.

“You have class tonight?” Gina asks.

“Yeah, Tuesday nights are my late nights.”

She turns to Elias. “How’s the house coming? Are you getting settled in?”

“Slowly.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to fully move in. Taylor has been helping me get furniture and decorate.”

“Has she?” Knowing eyes flicker back to me, and I try not to fidget. What is that grin she’s giving me? Dammit. “Things went well at Thanksgiving?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “I didn’t…oh, Kalen…must have…”

She laughs and waves her hand. “The guys are worse than women. Don’t even try to keep a secret,” she teases, but her eyes focus on me…like she can read my deepest darkest thoughts. My God, I think she knows.

I swallow. “Nope, no secrets with the guys.”

Liar.

Elias jumps in, oblivious, or at least he’s pretending to be. “Taylor was really great to help me. Too great, actually.” He laughs as he leans back in his seat. “My parents loved her.”

“Of course they did. What’s not to love?”

I bat my eyes at her as a storm rages inside me. “We’ll fake a breakup after New Year’s.”

“Right, you’re going to Vegas for Easton’s wedding.”

“Is there anything you don’t know?” Elias jokes.

She focuses in on me again, an all-knowing gleam in her eyes that speaks volumes. “Nope.”

Ohmigod.

Avery comes back with our steaming hot chicken pot pies. “This looks so good,” I say, grateful for the distraction.

“I’ll leave you two to eat, and this is all on the house.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Elias says.

“It’s fine, because when you have your housewarming party, you’ll hire me to cater it.”

Elias laughs at that. “Why do I feel like I’m being coerced into having a party?”

“Because parties are fun, and we haven’t had a group get together since Halloween.”

He groans. “I don’t know how to plan a party.”

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