Page 28 of South of The Skyway

“Yes, ma’am.”

Those amused brown eyes narrowed. “You sure you’re not from the South?”

“Alaska is a misplaced Southern state. Kinda like Idaho.”

She snickered. “Look, charmer, Brex is…her own person. She likes it that way. But she’s the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and if you get her to let you in, she’s loyal to the death.”

“What are you saying?”

“Don’t fuck it up.”

A laugh lodged in my throat. “Well, I’d have to win her over first. But, honestly, I’m more worried about the whole age thing.”

“Age thing?” Noel said, hiking up her brows.

“I’ve got a decade on her.”

“Oh jeez, hotshot.” Her eye roll was colossal. “Like Brex would give a shit. That girl has always been an old soul trapped in a young body. An older guy is inevitable.”

“And you think I stand a chance?” Flashing my best smile, I leaned back in my chair. Noel studied me for a minute, letting the silence linger before she answered.

“Her being safe and healthy and happy is all I want.”

“But…?” I hedged.

“She’s sick of being let down. And I’m sick of seeing her let down. Her family is…shitty. And going it alone is better than forcing yourself to be around people who make youfeelalone. Brex, unfortunately, also applies that ideology to men.”

“You’re telling me she’s got walls up?”

“Fortified in stone and mortar.”

“Seemed pretty friendly to me.”

“That’s why I’m sitting here.” Wrenly materialized beside her, a French press of tea in her hands. She set it on the table between us, proudly presenting two cups and wordlessly escaping. Noel called after her, “Thanks, Wren!”

The exchange earned Brexley’s attention. Golden brows dipped before the slender woman with the laptop re-emerged, happily presenting something to the future Mrs. Rhodes. Her answering beam was priceless. They scurried through the bookstore and vanished into the dark hallway beyond.

“Eyes over here, buddy.” Noel’s smirk said enough about my dumbass, open book of a face, her fingers snapping. “What are your plans, Rhyett?”

“Today, or in the grand scheme of things?”

“Ahh, wit. I like it. Both. Start with today.”

“Uh, I just wrapped my workday. Don’t have to be back at the property until tomorrow. So, A—convince your friend to come to dinner. B—convince your business partner to join me for dinner. And C—”

“Convince Brexley to go out to dinner?”

“Bingo.”

“And the latter?”

“We’re building a mini-farm for my parents to retire on, complete with guesthouse and bunk rooms, so the litter can visit.”

Her laughter was infectious, her smile more so. I could see why Brexley kept her in proximity. “Thelitter?”

“We weren’t technically duodecaplets, but we certainly move in teams.”

“So, where’s the second half of your pair?” She narrowed her eyes at the wording, and I lost my very brief fight with the responding chuckle.

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