Page 83 of Butter My Biscuit

I want to pull her in for a kiss, but don’t.

“You’re distracting me. And we’re not doing that anymore,” she mutters as if she read my mind or can see the want written all over my face. Or maybe she’s thinking about it too.

“Doin’ what?” I ask with a brow popped.

She shakes her head, ignoring that and me. “You gotta go out the window,” Grace whispers. “Just walk around the back.”

“This new obsession with windows,” I mutter, but I go with it because I don’t want to experience my sister’s wrath this morning, especially after she reminded me last night about our plans.

“Hello? Harrison? I know you’re here!” Remi knocks some more, and I can hear her grumbling something, but I can’t quite make it out. But just by her tone, I know she’s pissed.

“Shit, I forgot my truck was parked out front.”

Grace shakes her head. “You’ll think of some reason why it’s there. Now, go.”

She slides open her bedroom window. I sneak out like I’m a damn teenager and cross her neighbor’s backyard. Once I’m on the opposite block, I make my way to the town square. Thankfully, I have my phone, and I make my way to the coffee shop that’s just a few blocks away. They’re only open for a small window today, and I go in and grab three coffees. It’s the perfect cover-up.

On the stroll back to Grace’s, I can’t stop smiling. My sister is still standing at the door when I arrive.

She turns and glares at me. “You were supposed to meet me at Mom’s this mornin’ to help! Thankfully, our other brothers don’t suck and helped me load all of this.”

“Sorry. I thought I was supposed to meet you here. It’s why I got us fuel.” I hand her a coffee, and then I pull the key to Grace’s place from my pocket and stick it in the door.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

“Laundry day.” I shrug.

“Gracie,” I singsong with Remi behind me. “Hello? You up? Time to rise and shine,bestie!”

Moments later, she exits from the bedroom. Her hair is a mess, and there’s a small hickey on her neck that I know she’s very aware of right now by how she’s moved her hair to the side. The guilty look on her face will always give her away.

“I was knocking so hard. You must sleep like a freight train,” Remi says with a smile, taking a drink.

I think my little white lie worked.

“I do.” Grace’s eyes dart toward me, then down at the extra coffee I’m holding. “Are one of those for me? Please say yes.”

“Yeah, thought you could use it after your night,” I tell her, shooting her a wink.

Remi looks between us, shaking her head. “Okay, well, my car is full. How about we start moving my shit?” She glares at me.

Yep, she’s very pissed.

“Oh, right. Here’s the key.” Grace slides it off the bar top and hands it to my sister. “I forgot to bring it to the bed-and-breakfast last night.”

“No problem,” she says. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as she’s outside, Grace glares at me. “She knows.”

“No, she doesn’t. Justplay it cool. You suck at this.”

“I’m not a pro at actingunbothered, like you,” she whispers and straightens her posture when Remi enters, carrying an oversized box.

“You’re supposed to be helpin’ me.” She walks past me, bumping my shoulder.

“Oh, right.” I set my coffee down. “You should help us, Gracie.”

“Was totally plannin’ on it.”

---