“Fine. I’ll wear them, but I’m still showering before I come down.” I needed to sort myself out in the shower, too. Thinking of Wilder in my bed, no doubt naked, had got me all hot under the collar.
Cole pulled me into a hug, almost spilling my coffee, but I managed to save it at the last minute.
“Thanks, sis. Appreciate you.” He messed up hair and my heart dropped because it was something Wilder did. It just made me miss him even more.
“That was great, Talls.” Liam sat back in his seat and rubbed his belly. “Thanks for making a plate for Nate.”
“No doubt he’ll get to eat it at midnight,” Cole grumbled.
Nate had given his family a holiday in Greece but couldn’t go with them because of his business, so as he was alone my brothers had invited him for dinner. As usual with Nate, he’d been caught up in a meeting.
“Have you told your bosses yet about him?” Liam asked, rubbing a hand over his dark stubble. Green eyes, the same shade as mine, watched me with quiet contemplation.
“Nope. And how do you always manage to do that?” I picked up my bottle of beer and took a long pull.
“Do what?”
“Manage to look like Dad after I cut Cole’s hair with Mom’s garden scissors.”
Cole laughed, deep and loud. “I had to wear a wool hat for weeks.”
“Well, have you?” Liam as usual didn’t stray from his path. Always determined. Always grumpy to Cole’s sunshine.
“No.” Two sets of eyes peered at me. “It’s not been the right time.” I stood up and started to clear away the dishes.
“The longer you leave it, the harder they’ll take it when you do.” Liam ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “It’s hard for Nate, too. Seeing you there and not being able to speak to you.” He took my hand and pulled on it. “Sit down. We’ll do the dishes.”
“You might as well, Talls,” Cole said, cutting a piece of cheese from the array on the board in the middle of the table. “He’s not going to let it go.”
With a sigh I took my seat again. “They’ll think that I knew all along and went to work there to help Nate.”
“No, they won’t. It’s not like Nate got any information that helped him,” Liam said, his tone more than a little irritated. “You started at The Last Creek after the development started.”
“Liam’s right, Talls. You know he is and so you should just tell them. Tell Wilder at least.” Cole grinned. “I’m just surprised it hasn’t come out in pillow talk.”
Liam cleared his throat, unsettled by any hint of sex where I was concerned. I was his baby sister, and I was pretty sure he thought I still wore braces and glow up sneakers.
“If he finds out from someone else, he won’t be happy, Talls.”
“Liam, please stop going on about it. I know I have to tell him, and I will. Just let me decide when the best time is.” My stomach and chest clenched in sync at the idea of telling Wilder and what it might mean. Whether he would hate me. If he’d end things between us.
“Okay.” I sighed heavily. “I’ll speak to him when I get back to the ranch.” The thought made me feel nauseous. The enormity of what it might result in.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Cole said quietly. “I promise you.”
I nodded wanting to believe him but not sure I did. Especially when thedoor opened and Nate wandered in. Dressed in a suit, looking and smelling expensive.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite little ginger ninja.” He calmly walked toward me before leaning down to kiss my forehead. “I take it we’re cleared to talk here.” He smirked like he was the funniest man alive.
“Don’t you give me shit as well, Nate. My brothers have done nothing but badger me about it all day.”
“Not all day,” Cole interjected. “Only through dinner.” He pointed to the refrigerator. “There’s a plate in there for you. You just need to warm it.”
“Thanks. I’m starved.” Nate’s long limbs moved lazily as he shrugged off his jacket and hung it off the back of a dining chair. When he opened the refrigerator door, he peered inside before taking out the plate and a can of pop. We all watched as he put the plate into the microwave and turned it on.
“So, what’ve I missed?” he asked, turning to lean against the sink, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Not much,” Cole said with a grin. “Oh, except Talls is going to tell her boyfriend that you’re part of the family.”
