Page 86 of Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles 2)

Mason’s face lit up. Poor bastard. He had no idea what he was in for.

“Great. Just one drink,” he said. “I know you said you were tired, and I don’t want to leave your mom with Charlie for too long anyway. I’m sure she’s exhausted.”

“How kind of her to offer to watch him for you while we chat,” Palmer said, clearly forcing the smile that was on her face. I wondered if anyone else heard the sarcasm in her voice.

It appeared Sutton did. For a moment, I thought she was going to volunteer to take over for their mother. But all I wanted to do was get her to our room.

I wrapped my arm around my wife and guided her to the elevator.

“You two enjoy your drink,” Sutton called out as I ushered her away.

Pressing the up button, Sutton and I watched Palmer and Dr. Bryan head toward the bar.

“He is so into her,” Sutton said with a giggle.

“Why do you say that?”

She turned and gaped at me. “Tell me you didn’t see the way he looked at her, Brody!”

I smiled at my beautiful wife and escorted her into the elevator. “He just seemed like he wanted to talk to her about the job. If Palmer doesn’t want it, she needs to tell him that.”

She blinked a few times and shook her head. “You really don’t think he’s interested? I mean, you think he just wants her as a nanny?”

With a one-shoulder shrug, I replied, “I mean, I didn’t see it. But then, I wasn’t paying close attention to them.”

Sutton chewed on her nail as she frowned. “But Mom must have seen it, as well, and that was why she offered to watch little Charlie, so Mason could take Palmer to the bar.”

“Are all women like this?”

She nodded. “Yes. But now I’m wondering if it’s wise for them to have a personal connection, if she’s going to be Charlie’s nanny. Maybe they should keep it professional.”

“Maybe that’s all he’s interested in anyway.”

The crinkle in her brow deepened. “Do you think? Maybe being so madly in love has clouded my judgment.”

Smiling, I pulled her body against mine. “Madly in love, huh?”

She smiled back and ran her finger along my jawline. “I am absolutely madly in love, and I can’t help it if I want my baby sister to find the same thing. I was in her position not that long ago. Ready to give up on all men and live my life alone. The only difference is, Palmer adopted a cat, so she’s one step closer to becoming a cat lady.”

I laughed. The elevator opened on our floor, and I motioned for Sutton to step out first. With my hand on her lower back, I guided her to our room. Once inside, I took off my jacket, then the cummerbund.

Sutton kicked off her heels and walked over to me. “Let me help you with the cufflinks.”

The smell of lavender and some other flowery scent swirled around me as Sutton concentrated on the cufflinks. Once they were off, she started to undo my bow tie. “Did I happen to mention how turned on I am by seeing you in this tux?”

Smiling, I placed my hands on her hips. “That, you haven’t mentioned. And you were more beautiful tonight than the bride.”

She lifted her eyes to meet mine. “That’s sweet of you, but Addie looked gorgeous. That gown was made for her.”

“She did look beautiful.”

I let my thoughts wander as Sutton undid the buttons on my dress shirt. “You’re sure you don’t want a real wedding?” I asked.

Once again, she paused to look at me. “I had a real wedding, and it was awful. Now I’m married to the love of my life. What more do I need?”

I pulled her body flush against mine. “A proper honeymoon, maybe?”

Her brows rose up. “Now that’s something I could get onboard with.”

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