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“You are so ridiculous,” I choked as I chucked a pillow at her.
It struck her in the chest, and she cracked up before she came shimmying back to the bed. She stuck out both hands. “Come on, we need to get a move on. You’re going to be late for work.”
Reluctance hummed in my spirit. I hadn’t even considered going into work. Part of me had believed I’d be two states over by now, leaving their house the way I had last night.
Terrified and determined.
Now, I had no idea where I stood.
I finally accepted her hand and let her haul me off the bed.
“I’m going to brew some coffee,” she said like it was her place rather than mine, not that I minded.
I liked it that she was comfortable.
That she didn’t tiptoe.
My chest squeezed with the truth.
I liked her.
So much.
She headed out the door, shouting behind her as she went into the kitchen. “Do you mind if I borrow something to wear? I need to be downstairs in the shop in about thirty. My supplier will be banging at the back door, wondering where I am.”
I could hear the clatter of the coffee carafe and water running, her voice still carrying through the space. “Seriously, thank God it’s Friday, though, am I right? This girl is ready for the weekend and some fun. We’re hitting Kane’s tomorrow night for a little family celebration. Everyone is going to be there. Our friends from Redemption Hills are making the trip.”
Her excitement traveled the motes that danced in the air. “Even Cash is going to be there, which means it’s something special. Seriously, the guy doesn’t come down from that cabin but a couple times a year. When I call him a recluse, he is arecluse. Love that grumbly bear with all my heart, though, so I totally know you’re going to love him, too.”
My head spun with what she was implying.
Like she just expected me to…go back.
My heart hurt where it pushed at my chest, that aching throb begging me to do it.
But how could I give in that way? Because I was sure River wasn’t going to let it go.
Raven’s voice broke through the spiral of my thoughts again,though this time, she was closer. “God, he is so hot, isn’t he? Of course, he considers me his baby sister, which I personally think is gross since I really want him to put his dick in me.”
Um what?
I scrambled out of the room to find her standing at the French doors that overlooked the street below.
I eased up behind her so I could peer out over the street.
Otto was out there, leaned against the wall of a building on the opposite side, a boot kicked to the bricks and his hands casually shoved in his pockets. The beast of a man appeared as if he didn’t have a care in the world with the easy grins he kept tossing at people who passed him on the sidewalk.
“What’s he doing out there?”
Raven glanced at me where I’d sidled up to her. “You didn’t think my brother was going to send us off without protection, did you? But he knew you needed space, and he definitely needed to cool off himself, so he sent Otto.”
My chest clutched. “Has he been out there all night?”
Raven looked at me as if I was still having trouble catching up.
Obviously, I was.
“Of course, Charleigh. It’s what they do. And judging by the way River was looking at you last night? I’m pretty sure he’s never going to stop watching over you.”
