days. However, my friends Eliza and Brenna insist on it because I think they know Paige and I need a night off.”
“That’s good. So, you guys are going to talk about Paige?” I asked cautiously.
Annabelle snorted and patted my knee. I tried to ignore the heat, but I felt it anyway.
Damn it, I was getting in far too deep. I needed to push all those thoughts from my mind.
“We are probably going to grill her over Colton. Because I’m pretty sure there’s the big L when it comes to the two of them. And Eliza’s husband will be home from deployment soon. We’re always worried about that.”
“How long has he been over there?”
“Eight months. It was a long one this time. He’s done a remote for a year at the beginning of their marriage before. But it feels as if he’s been gone longer than they’ve been together,” she said, frowning. “I don’t know why I said that. Sorry. They love each other so much, and work so hard at their relationship because he’s gone constantly. It just sucks for her. And I’m always worried.
“I get that.”
“Anyway, they will probably ask about you. Only because now that I’ve gone out with Paige and Colton with you, she will have ammunition. And if she wants to stop us from talking about Colton, she will bring you up.”
“You’ll just have to keep the spotlight on her then.”
“Yes, because some things should be private.” She looked over at me quickly, and I reached for her hand. I squeezed it, and she smiled.
“Yes, I like that it’s just the two of us. Others can think what they want, but we’re having fun—you and me.”
She smiled again, and I didn’t see any hurt in her gaze, didn’t see her flinch this time. Maybe I’d just imagined that things were weird.
“It’s nice to have a night where I can relax with somebody, have some great sex, and then be all pumped for work the next morning.”
I laughed and shook my head. “There you go, glad I’m good for something.”
“I mean, I do appreciate your dick,” she teased, and I laughed harder, practically shaking as I pulled into my driveway.
Her phone dinged again, and she cursed. “Crap, I need to handle this. It’s Beckett.” She looked over at me. “Raincheck?”
“Did you just raincheck me for sex?” I asked, laughing again.
“Yes. But I was just talking about your dick, and now I won’t be able to ride it.” She moved forward and gently patted my crotch as if she were patting my head. “I’m sorry, buddy. I’ll be back soon.”
I laughed again, gripped her neck softly, and kissed her hard on the mouth. “I’ll take that raincheck. Now, go do your work thing. I have paperwork, too.”
It would help me get her out of my system so I could focus on what was important and the plan we had in place. Me falling for my brother’s widow was not part of that plan. She smiled one last time and scrambled out of the car. I watched her carefully as she made her way to her front door and walked inside. I let out a breath and made my way into my house, knowing I would need a stiff drink and a lot of work to pore over.
It would be a long night, doing my best not to think about Annabelle Montgomery. Only these past weeks, I had been starting to get used to having her on my mind and in my life more than not. And that should probably scare me more than it did.
Chapter 14
Annabelle
“Knock knock. I don’t care if you’re busy, we’re here, and we have cheese,” Brenna said as she made her way into my house, her key dangling from her finger. Eliza walked in behind her, rolling her eyes, her hands full, as well.
“You know, you could’ve rung the doorbell,” I said, coming towards them to help alleviate some of the load.
“We knocked,” Eliza said quickly. “But you didn’t answer, and these are heavy.”
“I’m sorry. Work.”
“So we hear,” Brenna said as we set everything on the kitchen island.
“Thank you guys for bringing everything over.”
“You’ve been busy, and we know it. I mean, we’re all busy, too, but your days have been a little more hectic than most,” Eliza said before she leaned down to kiss me on the cheek.
“I love you guys,” I said and hugged them close. The front door opened again, and Paige walked in, grinning.
“Oh, I’m missing the group hug.”
Paige had