Page 29 of His Reckoning

“Temporarily,” I say quickly.

“Ah.”

Sawyer folds his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a break between meetings,” Cole says. “Thought I’d stop by.” Then he gestures toward the suitcases. “Looks like I arrived at a busy moment.”

“You’re just in time for manual labor,” Sawyer says.

Cole laughs. “Noted.”

I glance between them. “So … what do you do?” I ask.

Cole shrugs casually. “I’m taking over the family restaurant group.”

I blink. “You run restaurants?”

“Trying to,” he says. “My father built the business years ago. I’m expanding it now—opening a few new locations, updating some of the older ones.”

I stare at him for a second. “You feed people for a living.”

Sawyer leans against the wall. “Yes,” he says dryly. “Apparently, that’s impressive.”

“It is impressive,” I say.

Cole grins. “I like her.”

“Of course you do,” Sawyer mutters.

“Restaurants are great,” I continue. “You make people happy with food.”

“That’s the goal.”

Sawyer gestures toward the suitcases again. “Are we done admiring my brother, or are we moving luggage today?”

Cole glances at the pile. “You need help with anything?”

“I’m good,” I say. “But thank you.”

Sawyer grabs another suitcase. “She owns many things.”

“Mostly shoes,” I say defensively.

“And books,” Sawyer adds.

Cole looks amused. “Sounds like a normal move to me.” Then he glances at Sawyer. “You helping her with all this?”

Sawyer lifts the suitcase like it weighs nothing. “I have working arms.”

Cole’s smile widens slightly. “Well,” he says, “this is new.”

“What is?”

“You being helpful.”

Sawyer gives him a look.

Cole turns back to me. “So, how did you two end up living together?”