Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“No, but you’re no longer contagious because you’ve been fever-free for twenty-four hours, so I can bring you dinner, and we can chat. Oh, and you’ve sanitized your entire apartment.” Her laugh flows through the line.
“Deal. I want tacos.”
“Got it, bestie. I’m on my way.”
Grabbing my purse and shoving my phone inside, I head downstairs. Landry was out when I got home, but he’s now sitting on the couch, watching one of the sports networks. He looks like he might have gone for a run, and he’s chugging a Gatorade like it’s his job. “Hey,” he says, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “How was it?”
“It was good. No signs of Naked Sara.”
He laughs. “Mission accomplished.”
“His family is great. They were all nice and made me feel welcome.”
“And Knox?” he asks. “Was he nice to you?” There’s something in his tone that’s different when he asks.
I nod slowly. “Did you expect him not to be?” I ask him. My hands are clammy. Is he on to us?
“Not at all, just doing my brotherly duty and making sure.”
“It wasn’t so bad. I’m glad I could help him out. Everly and Emma are going to call me the next time they’re in town, and we’re going to grab lunch or something.”
“They’re usually here for all the home games. They all are,” Landry tells me.
“Yeah, that’s what they said. Everly and Matt leave for their honeymoon today.”
“Where are they headed?”
“Colorado. I guess they’ve both always wanted to go. They have a cabin, and Matt says he plans to stay locked inside, looking at the mountain view—clothing optional during their entire stay.”
Landry laughs. “I bet Knox loved that.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure where he was when Matt said that. He said it when he stole Everly from the girls and me while dancing at the reception. Kendrix asked him if he was sweeping her away to their honeymoon.”
“Sounds like you fit right in.” He grins like this pleases him.
“Yeah, I guess I did. There weren’t any awkward moments, thankfully.”
“Hopefully, Knox’s girlfriend isn’t pissed. I mean, she left him hanging. She has no right to be, but jealousy can end relationships.”
“I’m sure it will be fine. Knox didn’t seem concerned.”
“Nope. Not in the least,” Landry replies, and I need to move this conversation along.
“It was nice to see how a big family functions.”
“We did all right,” he says, finishing off his Gatorade.
“We did, and we still do.” I lean over and hug him. “I’m heading out to take some food to Sloane. She’s assured me she’s been fever-free for over twenty-four hours now, and she’s sanitized her entire apartment and is demanding tacos.”
“Damn, tacos do sound good,” he muses.
“I can bring some home if you want?” I offer.
“I’m never going to turn down tacos, little sister.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll even order them from the Mexican restaurant instead of getting fast food tacos.”
“You really do love me,” he says, placing his hand over his heart.
“Always, big brother,” I assure him with a smile.
“You look happy, Corie.”
“I am.”
“When you came home from school, I was worried. You seemed sad a lot, but now, that sadness is gone. You’re always smiling and laughing. I like it.”
You can thank your best friend for that.
“I’m happy to be home and to be using my degree. Everything has sort of fallen into place for me.”
Part of that is that I’m in love with your best friend.
“I won’t be gone long,” I tell him as I stand from the couch.
“Be safe.”
“Always,” I reply and head out the door.
“You should tell him,” Sloane says.
We spent the last hour eating our tacos as I told her about my weekend away with Knox. “No. I can’t. What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
“Corie, come on now, you’re not that naive. He’s all but told you he loves you, too. There is nothing wrong with you saying it first.”
“I know. It’s not that. I guess there is still so much at risk that I’m scared I’m going to wake up one day, and it’s all going to be gone. We could both lose our jobs, and then there’s my brother. He asked how Knox treated me this weekend and commented that I seemed happy. What if he’s on to us?”
Sloane reaches over and places her hand on mine. “I think you’re paranoid. Landry was just making sure you were well taken care of while in his friend’s care. As far as it all going away, I wish you could see your relationship from the outside looking in.”
“What do you mean?”
“Corie, even in a group of people, when you’re supposed to be just his best friend’s little sister, he watches you. His eyes follow you and seek you out no matter where you are in the room, and when he talks to you, he’s different. His voice is all soft, and he gets this dopey smile on his face.”