“Destiny,” Mama sighs dramatically as she slips her hand lovingly over my Dad’s hand.
“It's not destiny. It's a small town with limited activities, and too many nosy siblings.” I counter, but nobody's listening.
Connor leans back in his chair, all cool confidence in a crisp white button-down, and chimes in with a rare smile. “She pretty?”. The fact that he’s asking about her, sends me into orbit.
Something in me snaps.
The way he says it—casual, curious, like she’s just another bullet point in a client file and he’s actuallyconsideringher. Like he’s got any damn right. Like he’sentitledto wonder.
And for some reason, that flips a switch in me I didn’t know was wired so close to the surface.
My jaw tightens. The grip on the fork? White-knuckle tight.
“Why?” I bite out before I can stop myself. “You takin’ a poll or looking for a reason to cross a line?”
That earns me a low whistle from Ryan, and Lily straight-up cackles.
Connor blinks, caught off guard, hands raised in mock innocence.
“Easy, cowboy. Just asking.”
Before I can unleash a follow-up growl, Lily jumps in “Oh Annie says she’s gorgeous. athletic build, dark hair, sharp blue eyes that could cut a man down to size, intelligent and outspoken” Lily says it all without catching a breath, like she’s revealing some great mystery in a rush.
And now I’m picturing Connorseeingall of that. And I hate it.
I shovel a too-large bite of food into my mouth just so I don’t say something I’ll regret, likeShe’s not for you. She’s mine.
“She sounds terrifying,” Ryan comments still eyeing me.
“Sounds perfect for him,” Dad counters, gesturing toward me with his fork. “Boy needs a woman who’ll put him in his place. Never thought I’d see the day one of my boys got territorial over a woman he barely knows.” Dad grins behind his beer, because of coursehewould enjoy this.
Mama pats his arm, eyes locked on me like she’s solving a puzzle. “He knows her enough to growl about it.”
“Not growling,” I mutter.
“Oh brother, you just verbally marked your territory,” Connor says smugly, chuckling as he sips his drink. “Relax. I’m not trying to poach your—what is she again? …Your Yoga partner?” He leans in closer bumping me on the shoulder, looking mischievous as hell and whispers for only me to hear “or shouldI say…” he arches one perfect brow “yourBathroom Makeout Bandit?”
And just like that, the temperature in my blood spikes.
Son of a—
I know exactly who put that ammo in his hands.
Mason.
The man hasn’t told a damn soul anything since 2009, butthisis the moment his inner chatty Cathy awakens? Really? My bathroom makeout is what breaks the seal?!
I’m gonna straight up strangle that mother f—.
I glare at Conner. “Watch it.”
He chuckles, clearly enjoying how riled up I am. “Relax. Didn’t realize she was on the off-limits list.”
“She’s notonany damn list,” I snap, before catching the sharp look from Mama.
Lily’s eyebrows shoot up. “Well, that sounded totally sane.”
Ryan leans in, smirking. “Should we get out the branding iron now, or wait until you’ve officially staked your claim?”
