“I’m happy to take a couch.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to sleep on the couch.”
Reese eyed her confiscated phone, wondering how long Ronnie would keep it hostage. “I really don’t mind getting a hotel room.”
“Hudson offered up a room,” Ronnie said. “Since you’ll be working at his house anyway, I thought you wouldn’t mind the arrangement. Jed lives there too, so you won’t be alone or anything. You remember Jed? He’s Colten’s cousin. Helped us out on that first renovation. Please don’t be upset.” Her eyes were shiny with threatening tears, warning Reese she had about three seconds before the hormonal waterworks went off, unless she diffused the situation.
“That sounds like a smart arrangement,” Reese said, keeping her tone even and her smile in place. Inside, her heart was pumping as though she were running a marathon. Or being chased by a hungry wolf. Reese and Hudson had a certain undeniable chemistry. When she agreed to spend a week in Starlight helping him with some home upgrades, she knew it was a risk.
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“I’m here to work on his new house anyway, right?” Reese closed the trunk with a little too much gusto. She stuck her head into the passenger side before Ronnie could question it, retrieving her smaller travel bag. “Think I could grab a shower before dinner, though?”
“Of course you can.” Ronnie latched on to Reese’s arm with both of her own, leading her toward the front porch. “I’m so glad you’re here for a whole week! You have to promise me you won’t work thewholetime.”
“You said the house just needed a facelift. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of downtime. I want some extra Cami snuggles while I’m around.” Anything to ensure Reese didn’t spend too much time alone with Hudson. If only Peter hadn’t dumped her at the airport terminal, she’d still have a buffer.
It was one thing to entertain a long weekend in Starlight. With so short a stay, she could let her guard down around the man who made her a little dizzy in the head every time he flashed his magnetizing smile. Maybe steal a toe-curling kiss under the stars. But she was never around long enough to worry about emotions taking root.
A week was another matter.
“You can snuggle her if you cancatchher.”
“I’m quick on my feet.” Reese winked at Ronnie before she stepped inside. Silence greeted them. The house Reese had helped renovate more than three years ago held familiar charm—the large windows, the marble fireplace, the laminate flooring Reese had gone to extreme lengths to track down. But now the space was littered with brightly colored toys. The sight warmed a place in Reese’s heart that rarely hummed to life.
She always dreamed thatsomedayshe’d settle down and start a family. But she wanted to be advanced in her career before she worried too much over it. Seeing the toys now made the distant yearning a tad stronger.
“Don’t mind the mess,” Ronnie said, heading straight for a heavily cushioned recliner and dropping down into it. She released a loud, relieved sigh. “So much better.”
“Mind if I grab that shower?”
“Sit down for a minute,” Ronnie insisted. “Please.”
Reese itched to keep busy. To move on to the next task so she kept her mind occupied. Sitting still too long gave her time to dwell on things she didn’t want to dwell on. But before she could come up with an excuse to avoid taking her seat on the couch, a border collie rushed at her.
“Lou!” Reese knelt down, embracing the dog and welcoming the licks to the cheek. Reese led much too busy a life to even keep a house plant alive, but she loved animals. She loved on Lou every visit. “I’ve missed you, girl.”
“She’s down,” Colten announced, appearing in the doorway with hands on his hips in a superhero pose. “It was a tale of horrors to get her there, but she’s out. Now we can make all the racket in the world, and she won’t wake.”
“Cami hates naps,” Ronnie explained to Reese.
“Hatesis an understatement,” Colten added, dropping to a squat beside the recliner. He cupped Ronnie’s cheek, turning her head for a kiss. Reese looked away, focusing on Lou. The dog was on her back, demanding belly rubs.
Someday, she wanted what Ronnie and Colten had. She wanted love like that. The dog too. But for now, she had her career to focus on. She had a major decision to make about the promotion. An answer she had to deliver the first day she was back in Chicago.
“You ladies thirsty?” Colten asked, getting back to his feet.
Reese wanted to say no so she could take that shower, but she was rather parched from her battle with a heavy suitcase. “Iced tea if you got it.”
“We’re fresh out,” Ronnie said apologetically. “I meant to make some, but time got away from me today and I completely forgot. Have I told you lately how hard it is to get anything done with pregnancy brain?”
“I’ll find something,” Colten promised, slipping away into the kitchen.
Ronnie put up her footrest and leaned back. “How’s Peter?”
“Peter.” Reese cleared her throat, desperate for something to drink. Anything would do at this point. She just hoped Colten would be hasty about it. “We’re not together anymore.”
“When did that happen?”
