Fallon groaned. “Don’t use the wordthreatenaround Cope. Are you trying to make him lose it?”
“It’s true,” Lolli huffed. “I still think a pot enema would clear Ricky right out.”
Teddy’s brows flew up. “A pot enema?”
“Cleanses the bullshit,” Lolli said with a grin.
“Someone save me,” Fallon muttered.
I hoped the exchange would lighten Cope’s mood, but when I looked up into those dark-blue eyes, I saw no sign of that. Instead, there were sparks of fury. “What. Did. He. Say?”
I pressed a hand to Cope’s stomach, the move one of pure instinct, an attempt to soothe. But the moment my hand pressed against the hard muscle, I knew I’d made a mistake. I could feel ridge after ridge of his abdominals—the kind of washboard that wasn’t supposed to exist in real life. “He was just an ass. That’s all. Nothing new.”
It was a miracle I got the words out, given my tongue felt like I was in anaphylactic shock.
“Someone tell me what happened,” Cope growled.
Teddy thumped him on the back. “Breathe, Caveman. No need to break things. Your girl’s right here, and she’s just fine.”
I tried to ignore thehis girlthing.
Fallon looked from Cope to me before finally speaking. “Lolli’s right. He’s a dick of epic proportions. He made some veiled comment about how he’d hate if things got more uncomfortable for Sutton here.”
A muscle in Cope’s jaw fluttered so wildly it looked like a butterfly about to take flight. “I’m going to kill him.”
This time, Teddy grabbed both of Cope’s shoulders and squeezed, giving him a little shake. “Let’s take it easy on the k-word, all right? You don’t need the press getting wind of that sort of thing right now. And you sure as hell don’t need an assault charge.”
“Don’t worry,” Lolli cut in. “I’m going to use my jiu-jitsu on him.” She pulled some sort of punch-kick combo that didn’t look like it was part of any sanctioned martial art.
“That’s my girl!” Walter shouted from behind the counter. “You show ‘em, tiger!”
“I’m not your anything, you old coot!” she shouted back.
“You will be once you break down and marry me,” Walter called.
The patrons began laughing. At least this was a better distraction than Rick and his scene.
Teddy grinned and released Cope. “I think I might need to move to Sparrow Falls, man. I love your family.”
“They’re easier to love with a little distance. Trust me,” Cope muttered.
“Hey,” Fallon snapped, smacking her brother. “We are awesome.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Fal.” Cope bent his head so we were at eye level, our foreheads almost touching. “You okay, Warrior?”
My breath caught in my throat. I shouldn’t have inhaled as he got close because all I could smell now was mint, sage, and a hint of sweat. And holy hell, the combination was potent. “I’m good,” I squeaked.
“Promise?”
I nodded. “Swear.”
It was the biggest lie I’d told in years, which was saying something given all the secrets I was keeping. But nothing could compare to the lies I was telling myself. Like that I wasn’t falling head over heels for Copeland Colson.
Luca’slittle face scrunched as he leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t want to like broccoli.”
I tried to hide my smile behind my napkin but knew my eyes danced as I met Cope’s gaze across the table. He didn’t do anything to hide his chuckle.
“It’s broccoli rabe, not broccoli, so you’re safe.”
