“Oh yeah. He’s decided he’d rather brave Pearl than be cooped up at the end of a long, lonely day.”
Neve picked up her bag and brushed past Reece on her way to the kitchen. “Any problems so far?”
He trailed after her. “One bat with his claws to let Pearl know he didn’t appreciate her sticking her nose up his butt. Other than that, they’ve tolerated each other pretty well.”
Jeez, even the animals were fitting in together under the same roof. The four of them could have been mistaken for a family.
She shook off the idea. “Guess who I saw hanging around Mountain Coffee with the owner? And looking all kinds of embarrassed when I busted them?”
“No idea.”
She began unpacking her bag. “Your yoga partner, Shane.”
Reece’s mouth dropped open. “What were they doing?”
“Giggling and looking like they were up to no good.”
“Shanegiggled? How is that even possible?”
“No idea, but I’ll bet you my bottom dollar those two are up tosomething. Wait. I don’thavea bottom dollar to bet. Which reminds me … another deposit landed in my account today.” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Nice.” He smoothed the hair at his nape. “So you don’t think Shane and Amy are … I mean Micky’s a total train wreck who has no business being with her, but no one deserves to be two-timed.”
“I didn’t say she was making time with Shane. They were fully clothed and at least three feet apart, but Shane was flushed, and Amy looked … invigorated.”
“That sounds like they were having sex.” The smirk on his face was … adorable. In bare feet, sporting a white undershirt and jeans, he leaned his tall frame against the counter and folded his arms over his chest. He looked so elegantly at ease—and damn yummy. Suddenly, she wanted to—
“I never thought about those two together, but it could work—as long as Amy does the right thing and ends it with Micky first.” He tapped his finger against his chin.
“Wow, youdohave a romantic bone in your body!”
“Do I? I do? Hey, wait a minute. You say that as if … You don’t think I’m romantic?” Was his startled look real or fake?
Neve had never,everthought of Reece as romantic. But lately? “Reece, you’re a mountain goat who rappels all over the place,” she supplied instead. He put on an offended face, and she rushed to add, “They’re kinda cute and cuddly-looking.”
“They don’t ‘rappel all over the place,’ and neither do I. Oh, and they smell bad. You trying to tell me something?”
“Yes,” she laughed. “I need to get cleaned up so we can go.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Need some help? I’ll show you how romantic I can be.”
“Absolutely not. If I let youhelpme, we won’t be ready for our call, and we’ll never get out of here.” She stuck her head in the fridge, where she found several bottles of chocolate milk that hadn’t been there before. Obviously, Reece had gone out and bought them for her. She placed a hand on his folded arms to balance on her tiptoes while she surged up to plant her lips on his cheek, whispering, “You’re so sweet.”
With a quick turn of his head, he caught the kiss with his mouth. The kiss grew heated, like it usually did, and she broke it and scooted away before she changed her mind and tackled him.
After showering and dressingfor their outdoor tree trek, Neve entered the kitchen and found Reece intently staring at his computer screen.
She walked past, trailing her fingertips along his shoulders on her way to the sink. The touch was as much to steady her nerves, and it was because she simply loved touching him. She was dreading the call, and his square shoulders under her hands gave her a solid connection she craved.
“Are you setting up for the call?” Even as she asked, her eyes drifted to the screen, where a man standing in an unfamiliar wooded area, outfitted in rescue gear, was gesturing while talking—as if he were giving instruction.
Reece’s spine snapped straight, and he quickly closed his laptop. “No, just trying to catch up on some work.” He glanced over his shoulder at her. “The lawyer just canceled our phone appointment. Says he came down with something. He’ll be in touch once he’s feeling better, and we’ll reschedule.”
Neve’s spirits rose up, up, and she practically glided to the sink. Though she shouldn’t, she couldn’t help but let sweet relief spread through her limbs. Suddenly, living in limbo with Reece was better than facing down their harsh reality.
Chapter 26
Pitch and Woo
