Page 61 of Sing You Home (Nashville Star 1)

“So if that makes her Cinderella, does that make you a wicked stepsister?” a deep baritone rumbles.

Seth hangs lazily in the kitchen’s doorway, a Drumstick bar in his hands. He smirks as he watches Lacey struggle.

“Screw you, Seth,” Lacey bites out. She puffs a loose strand of hair from her face and looks at Luke and Sal in disgust. “I could use a little help here.” A heavy package pulls her arm down.

Seth bites into his ice cream and evaluates her. “Yeah, looks like you’re really fighting gravity there.”

Lacey’s mouth snaps open.

Luke closes his eyes, fighting to stay stoic. He’s not in the mood for a battle of barbs between Lacey and Seth. Not now. Not when he and Sal were so close to—to what? Christ, he’s barely been alone with her since he brought her home. The thought of missing out on his wife’s kiss has his blood pressure spiking.

“Are you okay, Sal?” Lacey’s stopped arguing with Seth, her attention turned to her sister. She closes the gap between them with sudden intensity and presses a hand to Sal’s forehead. “You look flushed.”

Sal laughs, swiping Lacey’s hand away. “I’m fine, Lacey. Stop it.”

Luke shoots a look at his brother.

Seth glances between Luke and Sal. Sees their nearness, sees Sal practically in Luke’s arms if it weren’t for Lacey.

Eyes widening, Seth’s mouth moves around the word fuck.

“Are you sure?” Lacey continues, peering at Sal. “You seem—”

Seth makes a buzzer sound with his lips, cutting Lacey off before she can really start mother-henning Sal. “C’mon, princess,” he says. “I’ll show you to your room.”

Lacey frowns in suspicion at his niceties but follows Seth with a huff as he hustles her and her bags up the stairs.

Luke’s eyes move to his wife’s face. She’s pale, despite the flush that’s crept over her cheeks. Damn near exhausted. He looses a breath and curses himself. Sal’s fresh from the hospital. What the fuck is wrong with him? He should be taking care of her, not trying to get in her pants.

As if she’s heard him, Sal raises her gaze to his. She moves past him for the kitchen. “I really do like the new look,” she says, her pillowy lips curving into a playful smile.

She disappears around the corner.

Luke buries his face in his hands and groans.

Fuck.

He’s done for.

Absolutely done.

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