Page 44 of Every Promise Broken

“What is that supposed to mean?” Will asks, sounding amused.

“Whit is peeved with Connie,” Nana offers. “Don’t know what for.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhale a sigh.

“Better kiss and make up,Connie,” Colt offers.

I glower at him. “Don’t call me that.”

Colt chuckles. “Where’d he go anyway?”

“He was opening a bottle of wine when I left him in the kitchen,” Will murmurs. His eyes find mine, dozens of questions popping up in his mind, I’m sure, but now isn’t the time to answer any of them. “How about you three head out back, and I’ll grab some drinks and meet you guys. Dad’s already out there. Conrad, beer?”

“Please.”

“And wine for you?” he asks nana.

“Yes, please,” she replies with a smile.

Out back, Whit’s sitting across from Roger, Will’s dad, two glasses of wine on the table in front of him, and he’s lookingenthralled in whatever Roger is talking about. They both turn their heads in our direction as we step onto the patio.

“I got you a glass of wine,” Whit says softly to Nana, standing up and handing it to her.

“Thank you, dear.”

Roger stands up, coming over to Nana. “Nora Strauss,” he says gruffly. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you, and you’re just as gorgeous as I remember.”

“Oh, Roger, just as charming as always. How have you been?”

The two of them sit down, falling into a conversation of their own before Will comes back out with drinks for everyone. Handing me and Colt ours, he sets the others on the table. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d gotten her a glass,” he says to Whit when he notices the second one.

“That’s alright.” Finishing the rest of his off, Whit says, “More for me.”

Sending me a humorous look over his shoulder, Will takes a seat, and Colt follows. After I toss back a swig from my beer, I pull out the chair beside Whit, and drop down into it. There’s no telling how tonight’s going to end up, especially as Whit starts in on his second glass of wine within five minutes.

I place my arm over the back of Whit’s chair, and I don’t miss the way his body freezes for a second, nor the way Will and Colt watch the move. The night goes on without too much of a hitch. After we have a couple of drinks and chit-chat, dinner is finished, and we all dish up, opting to eat out here since it’s a nice evening. Will cracked open another bottle of wine, and Whit’s on his third glass.

“Will, this lasagna is incredible,” Whit gushes as he shovels another bite into his mouth.

“Thanks, but I can’t take all the credit,” he says. “Colt made the noodles.”

“From scratch?” Whit’s eyes widen as they take in his friend.

“Yeah, jackass.” Colt chuckles. “From scratch. Why do you look so surprised?”

“I’m…not,” Whit mutters. “That’s just really impressive. I didn’t take you for somebody who enjoys cooking.”

“It’s a new hobby,” Will chimes in. “And he’s quite good at it.”

Whit hums thoughtfully. “Good for you, Colt.”

“Are you enjoying your time in town?” Colt asks, shifting his gaze toward my nana.

“I am, but these two are always working.” She huffs. “I’d like to get out more.”

Gaze flitting over to her, I say, “Well, you haven’t said anything.”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

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