I meet her stare without flinching. “I intend to treat her right, protect her, and not screw this up.”
Hope bends to pick up her phone and freezes, and Amy blinks rapidly as if my answer doesn’t compute.
“Well,” Amy says slowly. “I gotta admit, that wasn’t what I was expecting. A very respectable answer.”
I smirk. “Thanks.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“It kind of sounded like one.”
“The jury is still out on you.” She huffs out a breath. “I’m watching you, bucko, and so is my bat.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Knock. Knock.
Hope sprints to the front door and grabs the pastries and coffee she ordered for breakfast, and sets them down in front of us. Amy snatches a raspberry pastry and one of the coffees before leaning back in her chair.
Amy glances over at Hope. “How are Scarlett and Lachlan coming along?”
“Oh, you know how they are.” Hope sighs. “Lachlan is being extra douchey, and evenIwant to kick him in the balls.”
I straighten. “Need me to handle that?” I lift my coffee and take a sip while I wait for an answer.
If this asshole is causing Hope distress, I’m more than happy to dish out some punishment.
Amy snickers. “Sure, macho man, go ahead and tell Lachlan to dial it down a bit, and when you’re done with that, make sure Scarlett finally gets the attitude fucked out of her.”
I spit out my coffee. “What the he?—”
“They’re characters in my newest novel, Frost,” Hope explains as she hands me a napkin.
Amy is full-on belly laughing at my expense. “I-I-I can’t even…” she gasps.
I wipe up the mess on the table in front of me. “How was I supposed to know that?”
“You could’ve asked,” Amy points out.
Hope gives me a small smile but addresses Amy. “It’s not his fault. You know how I get when people ask me what I do for a living.”
Amy taps her chin. “True, okay, he gets a pass on that one.” Amy pushes away from the table. “Thanks for the breakfast andentertainmentthis morning.” She points at her eyes, then at me, and back to her. “Remember, buster, I’m watching you. You hurt her, and I don’t care how many biker brothers you have, you’ll never see me coming.”
I dip my chin. “Noted.”
Amy walks around the table and pulls Hope into a hug, and then spins on her heel and rushes out the door, waving over her shoulder. “Love you. Keep me updated.”
“I will!” Hope calls.
After the front door slams, I let out a breath. “She’s intense.”
Hope hands me a glazed croissant, cheeks bright red. “She’s… Amy.”
I lean closer and tilt her chin so she looks at me. “You, okay?”
“No,” she whispers. “I will never emotionally recover.”
I kiss her forehead. “Could’ve been worse.”
