“You got it. Bye, Shepherd.”
“Bye.”
The call ends and I stare at my phone for a second longer.
I’m trending because I smiled…
Because thinking about Sutton makes me smile.
Another thing that makes me smile?
The memory of her sweet lips on mine.
The smell of cedar and sawdust does something to my brain that nothing else can. It quiets things. It grounds me. It makes mefeel like I have a purpose outside of my sport. I run my palm over the surface of the half-built dining table in front of me, noting the clean lines and simple joints. It’s built strong and I’m proud of that.
Killian is leaning against the far wall with a beer he didn’t ask permission to open. Bishop is inspecting my clamp setup like he’s about to critique my life choices, and Sebastian is digging through my scrap wood pile like a raccoon.
Bishop gestures at the table. “Did you measure twice?”
“Three times, Dad. Thanks for asking.”
“Good.” He smirks.
Sebastian straightens, holding up a warped piece of oak. “This one looks like it’s been through something.”
“Put that down,” I say.
He grins but drops it back into the pile.
I pick up the sander and switch it on, letting the vibration steady my thoughts—but the kiss replays in my head anyway. It’s all I think about now.
Her grabbing my shirt.
The hesitation.
The way she pulled back and armored up immediately.
“It meant nothing.”
I almost laugh out loud remembering it.
Killian’s eyes narrow. “There it is.”
“There what is?” I ask, focusing on the table.
“That look, like an itty-bitty baby who’s either smiling for the first time or it just has gas.”
“What?”
He gestures to me. “You know, the look that says you’re either hiding a body or hiding a boner.”
I power off the sander with more force than necessary. “Why are you being dramatic?”
Killian laughs. “No, why areyoubeing dramatic?”
“Who said I’m being dramatic?” I argue. “I’m just standing here sanding a goddamn table.”
“Oooh, I see.” He smirks. “So that’s why you called us all over here today? So we could stand around your woodshop and watch you caress your wood? Because if that’s the case, I call bullshit and we need an intervention.”
