Page 54 of One Touch

Wyatt frowned. Duke crossed his arms. “Since when?”

“Hey, I think it’s great, Sis.” Lee scooped another serving of blueberry cobbler and smiled at me.

“You think what’s great?” Duke pressed.

“Come on. Kate’s a total smoke show. He was bound to notice. I’ve been making threats at the fire station for weeks, telling those dogs to back off.” Lee winked at me to defuse the tension as Wyatt mumbled something akin toJesus Christ, Lee.

I unfolded myself from the bench. “I am not talking about this with mybrothers.”

“We just don’t want you getting hurt again,” Wyatt added, concern laced in his voice, but instead of being comforting, it grated my nerves.

“I’m fine! Will everyone please stop treating me like I’m going to fall apart at any moment?”

“Hey.” Duke raised his hands in a misguided attempt to calm my bubbling temper. “Calm down. We can take care of it.”

“Calm down?” I pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. And take care ofwhat? I am a grown woman, whether you want to believe it or not. Oh my god, you are all so frustrating.”

“We know you’re a little fragile after what happened last time ...” Duke was really stepping in it now.

“I amnotfragile! It was just sex!” My hand flew to my mouth.

Yep. I had just yelled across the family dinner table that Beckett and I had had sex.

“Daddy, what’s sex?” Penny looked up at Wyatt as Lark stifled a laugh.

“It’s something we’ll talk about when you’re older, Pickle.” Wyatt shot daggers in my direction as he stood and guided Penny away from the table.

I sighed and called after him. “I’m sorry. Wyatt, I’m sorry.” I ran my hands through my hair, and frustrated tears burned at the corners of my eyes.

“This a bad time or ...”

My head whipped up to see a freshly showered Beckett standing in the yard, looking devastatingly handsome and overhearing the entirety of my declaration, all while holding a small bundle of wildflowers.

Duke’s eyes moved between me and his best friend before flicking down to the flowers.

“Nope. Welcome aboard, champ.” Lee laughed as Tootie took to clearing up the remaining paper plates.

Beckett stepped forward. “These are for you, Ms. Tootie.” He held out the tiny bundle as she fussed over him.

“I’m going to help her clean up.” Lee stood and gathered his plate.

“Good idea.” Duke stood before Beckett and me, his face marred with confusion. “Seriously? You two?”

I wanted to argue, tell him it was nothing, but the words were lodged in my throat. Beckett spoke up. “It was unexpected. I respect you and our friendship. You know that. I want to talk about it, but not before I have the chance to discuss a few things with Kate.”

I was stunned into silence. I had thought for sure Beckett would smooth things over with Duke, deny what happened, or even suggest we keep what happened between us a secret.

Duke’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, I get it. I’m not mad, I’m just ... surprised. And mad.” He sighed. “Yeah, I guess I don’t know how I feel about it.”

I stepped toward my oldest brother. “Duke, I—”

His hand shot up and my steps halted. “Just let me take a fucking minute.”

“I understand.” Beckett stood quietly, giving time for Duke to process what just happened.

“I’m going to go,” Duke said at last with a sigh. “’Night, guys.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he’d already turned his back to us. Duke whistled to his dog, and Ed climbed into his truck.

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