Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Because he’s even more madly in love with you. Which is good. If he weren’t, he’d still be on my shit list along with the rest of the McGuires.”
Nora cocks her head as she pulls off her jaunty sock hat and gloves. “Really? You still hate the McGuires? Even after Melissa opened her home to you, sparing you the mental anguish of witnessing Gram and Slasher’s love up close and personal?”
I shudder. “Don’t talk about it. Let’s never talk about it. And I don’t hate the McGuires. They’re just too…tribal for my tastes. Like pack animals.”
“I think the phrase you used last time was ‘inbred assholes.’”
I wince, baring my teeth as I suck in a breath. “Okay, yeah, that was probably a little over the top.”
She arches a brow. “A little?”
“Fine, a lot over the top. They’re nice enough people.” I settle into a chair across from hers and accept the coffee she pushes across the smooth wood. “Maybe I’m just jealous that I don’t have a pack standing behind me.”
“You do,” she says. “You have me and Gram and now Slasher and Matty. That’s a basketball team and we haven’t even counted Melissa.” Her eyes glitter as she adds, “And clearly Melissa likes you a whole lot to allow you into her home. Is there something going on I should know about, brother dearest? A repeat of your steamy November encounter perhaps?”
I snort and roll my eyes like she’s crazy. “No way. We’re just friends, and I’m helping her out with Chase in exchange for room and board. That’s it.”
She hums dubiously. “Right. And I can eat dried mango without farting for days.”
“How is your fart ass?” I ask with a smile as I grab a coconut cupcake from the box. “I’m assuming Matty realizes you’re a foul wind machine by now, but has decided to love you anyway?”
“Shut up,” she says, grinning. “But yes, he loves me even when I give in to the temptation of dried fruit. I’m sure Mel will still like you once she realizes your feet always smell like rotten eggs, even right after you’ve showered.” She grabs a plain vanilla cupcake, like I knew she would. She’s always been a vanilla fan, ever since we were kids. “But we don’t have to talk about that right now. You can reveal your relationship status in your own time. I’m just happy that you two are friends again, no matter what happens with the other stuff. It’ll make the wedding this summer a lot easier. Can’t have our best man and maid of honor fighting like cats and dogs while Matty and I are saying our ‘I do’s,’ now, can we?” She narrows her gaze on mine. “Which means you have to stick the landing on the break-up if you decide to end things, okay? I’m not going to be the jerk who tells you my fiancé’s twin sister is off-limits, blah, blah, blah, but if you hurt her, I’m going to be very disappointed.”
I nod. “Message received. Loud and clear. I have no intention of hurting Melissa. I…like her. A lot.”
Nora grins. “I know you do. I hope it works out. I really do. I think you two would be great for each other. Two strong, stubborn, slightly irritating but hard-loving people? Together, what couldn’t you accomplish?”
Except that I’m going back to Minneapolis and Mel is practically married to this town. But that hasn’t stopped me from trying to win her over before and it won’t now. Deep down, my intuition says I might be able to tempt Melissa away from Bad Dog, if I play my cards right.
And what do I have to do right now except focus on my cards? I sure as hell won’t be spending any time online or on social media.
Nora and I fall back into our usual rhythm—jokes and gentle bullying slowly giving way to deeper conversation. We talk about her business, the scans I’m getting tomorrow, and plans for renovating Matty’s treehouse in the woods into a year-round home for the two of them until her cell begins to chime in her purse.
“That’s me turning into a pumpkin,” she says, rising from her chair. “I have another meeting at four-thirty and need to get home and set up my ring light. It’s an interview, so I need to look pretty on camera.”
“You’re always pretty,” I say, surprised when I look at the clock above the fireplace and see it’s already a few minutes past four. Nora and I were so busy talking, I didn’t realize Mel and Chase were running late. “But yeah, scoot, and I’ll see you later.”
“Maybe we could do dinner early next week?” She pulls on her coat and grabs her purse from the table by the front door. “Our friend Bear extended his trip for a few days, and I know he’d love to meet you, the way we planned. He and Dipsy Dobbs, Matty’s cousin, are such a fun couple. Just chill and funny and sweet. I know you’ll love them.”