Reece sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. We didn’t plan it, it was a drunk mistake, and Neve wanted to keep it quiet until we figured out what to do.”
“What do you mean, ‘what to do’?”
“It’s not … We’re not … We have a phone conference with an attorney later today to figure out our options for, uh, undoing the mistake.” The words left a bitter taste in Reece’s mouth.
Shane’s eyes widened. “You mean, like a divorce?”
“Or an annulment.” Exceptthatship had sailed days ago.
“Well, I guess that explains your move to Vermont. I had to ask myself, since I hadn’t heard it from mybest friend, why you’d marry the doc right before moving clear across the country.” Shane fired another pointed look his way.
Reece shifted his weight foot to foot. “Sorry, man. If it makes you feel any better, my parents found out about Neveandthe move through the grapevine too. Guess I had too much faith that word wouldn’t get out.”
Shane snorted. “What kind of an idiot convinces himself secrets that big will or can stay secret in this town? Oh, never mind. I’m looking at him.”
Reece returned a glare. “Speaking of secrets, what were you and Amy up to yesterday after yoga?”
“Amy and …? Oh, when Neve walked in to get the cake.” A grin spread across Shane’s mug. “As a matter of fact, we were talking about you two.” He barked a laugh. “I was afraid Neve had overheard us, but I guess she jumped to a different conclusion.”
“So there’s nothing between you and Amy?”
“Hell no,” Shane scoffed. “I mean, if Micky weren’t in the picture, thenmaybeI’d find out if I had a chance with her, but she’s only got eyes for him. Which makes no sense because she’s one of the sweetest, most beautiful women I know, and he’s a total asshole who doesn’t appreciate what he’s got. He treats her like shit.”
Reece didn’t miss how Shane’s expression morphed from surprise to dreamlike to disgust in the space of his comment. “You like her,” he observed.
“Of course I like her! Everyone likes her. She’s … likable.” Shane shrugged, but his cheeks flushed red.
“All right. Now that we’ve determined Amy’s nice and Micky’s a dumbass, I’m gonna go make some calls and chase down these supplies.”
“You do that. And tell yourwifeI said hi. In fact, bring her to Miners Tavern tonight. In case you didn’t get the memo, the pipes are fixed and Noah’s celebrating that, along with his and Hailey’s wedding—you and Charlie too, I guess—by throwing a private party.”
Reece had learned about the bash in a text from Noah a few days ago, but Neve and he had flipped, then flopped about going. Being the brother, he should go, they decided. Plus, she was Hailey’s best friend and a town fixture too, sosheshould go. Maybe they should go together. Walk in like the married couple they were. Or separately, pretending Vegas never happened.
“Better be there,” Shane warned, “so we can all toast to you tying the knot.” With a snort, he shook his head, turned, and flipped Reece off over his shoulder as he strolled toward his SUV.
“What the hell’sthatfor?” Reece called after him.
“For not trusting me.”
Reece’s shoulders drooped as he watched his friend drive away.
Reece’s mood lifted themoment he stepped into Neve’s house and pulled off his boots. Pearl rushed to greet him, along with Mr. Whiskers. The smell of bacon and something sweet wafted from the kitchen. He tiptoed toward the scent and spied Neve in yoga tights and one of his search and rescue T-shirts, her loose hair like spun gold curling on her shoulders. She pivoted on her bare heel, spatula in hand, and smiled at him.
“How did you know I was here?”
“My alert systems.” She pointed the utensil at the animals.
“Something smells good.” He leaned in for a kiss, catching a whiff of her floral shampoo. “Whatever you’re cooking smells good too.”
She turned back to the stove. “Pancakes and bacon, but I just started the pancakes, so they’ll takea while.”
He slid behind her and rested his hands on her hips, burying his nose in her hair. He began to sway with her. “Can I help?” Soon his hands were under the shirt, heading north. He grinned the instant he discovered she wasn’t wearing anything but the tee.
“Yes,” she laughed, leaning against him. “You can help by letting me cook.”
He dropped a kiss or three on her neck and released her. “I’ve got to do some research anyway.”
She pointed her elbow toward the full coffeepot. “Coffee’s fresh. How did it go with Shane?”
