“Yeah, probably try to convince her to marry me someday.”
There’s a low whistle that comes down the line, the admission surprising the hell out of both of us.
But I wouldn’t take it back even if I could.
Kat Harrington has changed me on a cellular level, chipped away at my walls, and burrowed under my skin.
And I like it.
I like all of it.
And I don’t want to go back to the way things were—the way I was—waking up each day simply to do the same thing I did the day before.
My life was fine.
But I won’t settle for fine when I can have spectacular.
Not anymore.
“Well, just make sure you invite me to the wedding.”
“Invite you?” I shake my head even though he can’t see me. “Kid, you’ll be the best man.”
KAT
“Hey, baby brother.”
“Hey.” A string of curses follows and then a loudthumpbefore he comes back on the line. “Sorry, I just got out of the shower. It’s weird to talk to you just wearing a towel.”
“Fair.”
“Jesus—how are you? Are you okay? I don’t think we’ve ever gone that long without talking and hell, I don’t even want to sayI told you so.”
“I think you just did.” Lying back on my bed, I look up at the bare ceiling, instantly wishing we were back at the cabin.
“Seriously…”
“I’m fine.”Now.“But you were right and things got scary for a little while.”
“I hate that this is happening to you. Roan was about ready to start flipping tables when he couldn’t find you. Even Garrett’s been checking in to see how you are and we’ve barely heard from the guy in months.”
“How could it be months? You guys all live next to each other.”
“Conveniently, youalsohave a house right next to us.”
“Colt…”
“I’m just saying. I don’t care how codependent it makes me look. I want my big sister to be close enough I can walk across my lawn and bring her a coffee when she’s been up all night writing.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Really? Okay, cool. I had another couple of index cards’ worth of bullet points lined up.”
“You’re a goof.”
“It’s one of my best qualities.”
“It really is,” I tell him honestly, the idea of finally giving in and moving into the house he built for me not as imposing as it once was. When he first told me his plans, I’d been pissed. It felt like he didn’t think I could do it on my own—that I needed someone to take care of me.
