Page 33 of Seale the Deal

Eventually, we gave up and decided to go back to Ruger’s house. I’m ready to sell my soul for a foot massage and a heating pad.

Remi drops dramatically to the floor the second we walk through the door, arms sprawled like a felled tree. I bend to untie my boots. I’m realizing why they’re called fashion hiking boots: they’re heavy on the fashion and not so much on the functionality of standing for hours. My feet are screaming, and I rotate my ankles just to feel something again.

Can you take my shoes off, Wrennie? Remi moans with mock desperation. When did this town get so many people?

You knew them all, I say, tugging one boot off and then the other.

She doesn’t move once they’re off, and just as I’m about to straighten, the front door swings open. Ruger steps inside, only to trip over her outstretched leg.

What the—Remi, he snaps. Why are you lying in the middle of the floor?

Living here, she sighs.

Oh, hell no. Ruger sidesteps her and makes a beeline for the kitchen. I already took one person in. You can go home.

Remi lifts her head and looks at her brother. You’re not going to feed me? she asks sweetly, batting her lashes.

You want burgers? He holds up a butcher-wrapped package.

Remi groans and lets her head flop back to the floor. Why don’t you keep the stuff for my famous veggie burgers in your house?

Ruger doesn’t answer. He just shakes his head, opens the freezer, and pulls out a box.

Do you eat these? He looks down the hall at her.

Remi sits up, squinting. Her whole face lights up like someone plugged her in. Are those meatless burgers?

Ruger sighs. Yes. Believe it or not, I think of you every once in a while.

Oh my God! You saw meatless burgers and thought of me? She stands and stumbles toward him, throwing her arms around his back in a dramatic, full-body hug.

He stiffens like he’s deeply offended by this display of affection. Don’t make it weird.

You love me, she sings, squeezing tighter.

I regret everything.

But there’s no real bite to it. His voice is tired but not irritated. Fond in that brotherly, I-would-set-myself-on-fire-for-you-but-I’m-not-going-to-smile-about-it kind of way.

He peels her off and disappears out the back door with the burgers and a handful of grumbling.

I turn to Remi, a little amused and a little something else. That was sweet of him.

She shrugs like she didn’t just fling herself at the man in gratitude. Yeah. He can be.

I smile, but I feel it waver. Remi catches it.

You okay?

I wave a hand. Yeah. Totally. It’s just… this day was a lot. I’m not used to small-town life where everyone wants to know you. It’s not like that in Vancouver.

She nods. It was intense.

Not to mention the hand holding. And pressing against Ruger’s firm body.

Okay. She claps her hands. Let’s go save Ruger from my soy-based patties.

I grab her wrist before she can escape. Wait. Rem?