Roxanne chuckled and settled into her seat. “Well played.”
Jonah shook his head and pulled out his chair but stilled when he heard the back door. It got everyone’s attention. Dread washed over Jonah, and he tightened his grip on the chair. He’d just managed to get through Holden and then Cord. Now, he’d have to deal with her.
Fuck me.
SueAnn strolled in smiling, walking straight to the laundry room off the kitchen. “Morning.”
“Morning,” Holden said.
Cord glanced over his shoulder. “Hey SueAnn. Thought you weren’t coming till tomorrow.”
“Well, my brother’s wife, Satan herself, has decided that instead of the potluck at her house today, we should do it at mine tomorrow.” Her voice echoed from the other room. “And of course, my place is in shambles since I just had the painters come in last week. I figured it was best to come in early today, soI’ll have the afternoon and tomorrow morning to get everything in order.” She walked out, shaking her head. “I keep waiting for my brother to get rid of her lazy butt, but after forty years of marriage, I’m losing hope.”
Jonah heard Roxanne's soft chuckle mixed with the boys' laughter. He sat and watched SueAnn glance around the room. Her gaze flashed over Roxanne, then quickly jerked back, and she widened her eyes.
Roxanne smiled. “Good morning.”
SueAnn grinned and then looked over at him. Jonah squared his jaw and narrowed his gaze. It was a silent warning she didn’t heed.
“The boys don’t usually have guests for breakfast.” The tease in her tone had Jonah balling his fists.
“She stayed over.” Holden stepped forward with the spatula in his hand, pointing at him. “With Jonah. In his…”
Jonah held up his hand. “Finish making breakfast.” Holden stepped back and moved toward the stove. He turned to SueAnn, who was openly grinning. She was enjoying this way too much.
“This is Roxanne.”
SueAnn hummed. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
What the fuck, SueAnn?Roxanne looked over at him, and her lips twitched.
“Really?” Roxanne asked.
“Well, not from Jonah,” SueAnn said, and Roxanne turned toward her. “That boy doesn’t like to share anything. Now, that one on the other hand,” she pointed to Holden, “is an open book, especially with other people’s business.”
“No, I’m not,” Holden said, sounding offended.
“You weren’t home five minutes when you told me all about the accident and the gorgeous girl Cord hit.”
Holden’s cheeks pinkened. “I-I didn’t say gorgeous.”
SueAnn scoffed. “Yes, you did. And why are you backpedaling?” She waved toward Roxanne. “The woman is gorgeous.”
Oh Jesus.Jonah dragged his hand through his hair. “You hungry?”
SueAnn tore her gaze from Roxanne. “No, sugar. I’m going to get my work done and get home.”
They spent the next fifteen minutes eating breakfast. There was a lingering silence for the first few minutes, and he noticed Holden purposely avoid eye contact with Roxanne. She must’ve sensed it too.
“These are good, Holden.”
He glanced up and smiled. Seconds later, with the tension broken, he dominated the conversation. They never had guests for dinner, and especially not for breakfast. It was new territory for all of them. There should’ve been awkwardness. Oddly enough, it was all so natural.
When they finished, Roxanne went upstairs to gather her things while Jonah started the clean-up. When she came back into the kitchen, he wiped his hands with the rag and led her to the back door. Roxanne had offered to get a car service, but he insisted on driving her home.
He grabbed his keys and held open the door for her, but she stopped in front of him. She laid her hands on his stomach.
“If that was an initiation, did I pass?”
