Page 17 of Playing with Temptation

“Absolutely.” Kendra made another note, then put her pen and pad away. “Now, about these meetings with the team and your teammates.”

“I don’t need you standing next to me like some ventriloquist.” Nate’s tone was tinged with annoyance. “I know what to say to these guys.”

“Great. Then you won’t mind running it by me.” Kendra gave Nate a warm smile, but he wasn’t buying it. “I’m here to ensure you’re prepared for these meetings and that we stay on message, but I won’t be in any of them. These guys are like your family. It’ll only make things weirder if I’m there.”

“Good.” He nodded, seemingly relieved.

“Let’s just go over the basics of what you plan to say to Wade. I’ll check out a restaurant in town and get some work done while you meet with him.”

“Not going to work.”

“Why?”

“There was a change of plans this morning. My meetings in Memphis were bumped back a couple of days, so Wade asked me to spend a couple of days with him and Greer. Thought you knew.”

I’m going to kill Marcus if he has any more surprises up those expensive sleeves of his.

Unperturbed, Nate composed a text message on his phone.

Probably to the woman she’d encountered at his home the day before.

“There must be a hotel or something where I can stay in town. Shouldn’t be terribly difficult to book a room at the last minute in Montana in the middle of winter.”

He silently tapped away on his phone.

Good to know you’re concerned. She smoothed her skirt and tried not to pout about her ex’s lack of interest in her dilemma.

He’s your client, not your boyfriend. Get used to it.

“All set.” Nate slipped the phone into his pocket.

“You booked me a hotel room?”

“Better. Wade and Greer want you to come to the ranch with me. He and I will chat as soon as we get there. Get all this nonsense out of the way. Then we’ll have dinner with them tonight. They also asked us to spend the day with them tomorrow while the older kids are at school.”

“Are you sure they don’t mind taking on another person? I don’t mind staying at a hotel.”

Nate gave her a small smile, but sadness lingered in his eyes. “Greer asks about you and Kai all the time. She’ll be thrilled to see you.”

“It’ll be good to see her and Wade again, too. I’ve always liked them.”

He settled back in his chair, his legs crossed again. “Then it’s settled.”

“Won’t your friend Layne be upset about this?”

“Why?” His expression was stoic. She couldn’t read him at all.

“So you’re saying you two aren’t together? Or is your relationship casual and open?” Kendra couldn’t help herself. “I’m asking as your media consultant slash publicist, of course.”

He chuckled. “Okay, media consultant slash publicist, my relationship with Layne is casual, open and very professional.”

Kendra’s eyes widened. “You mean she’s a—”

“What? Of course not.” He laughed. “She’s my hot yoga instructor. Sydney recommended her. Layne dated Nick for a while.”

“Oh.” Kendra pushed a curl back from her forehead. His sister Sydney and her best friend Nick had been roommates for the past few years. “Those two still pretending they’re not in love?”

Nate frowned. “They’re just friends and roommates. At least, they better be,” he added, mumbling under his breath.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” She couldn’t help teasing him. “After all, we started out as best friends, too.”

Nate unbuckled his seat belt and sprawled out on the couch. “Yeah, and just look how that turned out.” He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

Kendra waved a hand and shook her head. “I get it. You’ve always been protective of your baby sister. Just like your twin sister has always been protective of you.”

A half grin lit Nate’s eyes as he chuckled. “Protective? She acts like she’s my mama.”

---