Page 41 of My Secret to Protect

‘Wait, what? Where?’ Zoe’s eyes meet mine, and she looks so excited. It hurts to know I’m lying to her.

‘He took me on his bike to this river spot for a breakfast picnic.’

‘Are you fuckin’ kidding me?’ Missy reaches out for my hand. ‘Oh my god, Breanne, that is so sweet.’

‘Yeah, it was nice.’

‘Sooo, back to the…’

‘My god.’ I roll my eyes, but my reasons for this gathering flash through my mind. He’s watching, maybe listening, and I need to push him. ‘Yes,okay, yes. Your suspicions are very much correct.’

‘I knew it.’ Missy picks up a croissant while Zoe and Cara look fit to burst, and then my attention is drawn to the beautiful rottweiler running towards us.

‘Beans, oh my god.’ I stand to make sure he doesn’t run up onto the porch and cause chaos, but he’s clearly just looking for me as he drops, lays down, and rolls over onto his back as I reach him and crouch to kneel beside him. ‘Did you run over here just for belly rubs?’ I ask the big baby as I pet him.

‘Beans, Jesus.’ The dog jumps up to attention, sitting beside me as I look up to find Arlo storming around the partition between our backyards. I forgot there was a section of fencing missing. It came down in a storm, and I keep forgetting to ask Doug to replace it for me. ‘I’m sorry,’ he says as he gets closer, and I gaze up at him from my position on my knees.

He’s not wearing a shirt.

He’s wearing sweatpants and no shirt, and I’m on my knees, looking up at him as memories and attraction come at me all at once. He lied to me, none of this is real, but I can’t deny that he’s sexy as hell, and I can’t forget the past.

‘Goddam,’ I hear Missy say, not as under her breath as it should have been, and Arlo clears his throat, then turns his attention up to the girls.

‘Sorry for the interruption, ladies.’ He holds out a hand for me, and I take it so he can help me up. Beans sits obediently, gazing up at Arlo like he hung the moon, and honestly, same, buddy, same.

‘Oh, it’s no bother,’ Cara replies, somewhat breathlessly, and I snap my gaze to her, my eyebrows high. She just shrugs and carries on rubbing Lottie’s back.

‘I was grabbing a drink, and he must have heard your voice or something.’ I turn back to Arlo to see his hand come to Beans’ big head. ‘I think he’s got a little thing for you, sugar.’ He winks, and I swallow.

‘It’s okay. I have a little thing for him, too.’

We’re both talking about the dog, but my eyes are fixed on Arlo’s, and those sparks Cara mentioned hang in the air. Who knew he was so good at faking it?

‘Um, now that I’m here, I was wondering if you have plans tonight?’

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Nothin’ fancy. Beans and I were just going to grill some steaks on the porch and listen to some music. You feel like joining us?’

‘Well, that depends, who’s doing the grillin’, you or Beans?’

‘It’s going to have to be me. He can’t hold the tongs.’

Grinning, I nod, yes. ‘Well, I guess that’ll be okay.’ He smiles wide now and steps back.

‘Good, head on over whenever you’re ready.’ He looks up to the puddles of drool on my porch and smiles that panty-melting smile. ‘Ladies, again, I apologize for the interruption. We’ll leave y’all to enjoy the rest of your,’ he shrugs, ‘whatever this is.’

The girls all giggle, and I turn to gaze at them, stunned. My girls do not giggle.

‘Bye, Arlo.’ Zoe waves, followed by Missy and Cara, and then, with a click of his tongue, Arlo, followed by Beans, walks away.

‘Good lord in heaven, please protect my sister because that enormous, beautiful man is going to break her tiny little body.’ I head back to the porch and roll my eyes at my twin. Her eyes are closed, her hands together in prayer. ‘I mean, she is going to love every single second of it because I know that man knows how to treat a woman, but damn, you’re going to need to send some healing to her coochie on the regular.’

‘Fuck me,’ I groan as Missy cackles at my twin.

‘How did we get so fuckin’ lucky?’ she asks, and I hold her gaze. ‘Doug,’ she points at Cara, ‘fine as hell, knows how to fuck.’ Cara nods, agreeing, and Missy points at Zoe. ‘Leo, fine as hell, knows how to fuck.’

‘Amen,’ says my twin.

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