Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Stella.”
“What makes you think it’s Stella?” I haven’t told a single soul that I’m picking Stella up and taking her out to celebrate tonight. I’ve texted her off and on all week, making sure she knows she can’t get out of this. That’s what good friends do. We show up for each other, and I know that Stella needs someone to show up for her. Ada too.
“Probably because she told Jordyn, who told Ryder, who told me when I stopped by their place to help him move a shelf.”
Ah, the joys of having gossipy brothers. “Fine. It’s Stella and her daughter. I’m taking them to dinner to celebrate her getting the job with Jordyn. She’s new in town. I’m just being a nice guy.”
“That’s the story you’re going with?” he asks, amusement in his tone.
“It’s not a story if it’s the truth.”
“Just admit that you’re into her, Mav.”
I shrug. “She’s nice. She’s been through a lot and doesn’t have any friends in town.”
“So, you pay for all your friends' cars to be fixed, find them jobs, and then take them out to dinner to celebrate.”
“Apparently,” I grumble. I know how it looks, but damnit, he’s my brother. My twin, the other half of me. Why can’t he see I’m just being a good person?
He nods, tapping his index finger against his chin. “I admit it’s a nice touch. Reel her in, get her hooked, then really put it on her.”
“Put what on her?” I’m pretty sure he’s sober right now. I look around to see if I can see evidence of a beer or maybe a shot sitting around.
“The Kincaid charm. I understand she’s skittish, being a single mom and all that. You have to be cautious. Good plan to include baby Ada.”
“I’m including her because we’re friends, and I know she doesn’t have a lot of options for childcare at the moment.”
“Oh, you know if you wanted her all to yourself, Mom and Dad would watch her. Hell, you could ask any of us, and we’d say yes. Granted, Stella might not be okay with me since I’m a single guy and all that, but the others have wives, and I’m sure she’d be fine with it.” He’s nodding as he talks as if he needs to convince himself what he’s saying is true.
It’s all bullshit.
Well, not really. He’s right that my parents would gladly watch Ada for an evening, and he’s not wrong about my brothers and their wives either. I also know that Merrick would keep her, but he’s also not wrong about the single guy thing. At least not until she knows us all better.
I make a mental note to include her in more of our events. I’m sure Jordyn is all over that too. We’ll have her used to our clan in no time.
“See.” Merrick points at me. “That face tells me you agree with me.”
“You’re losing it, man.” I laugh.
His laughter mingles with my own. “Seriously, bro, if you’re into her, let her know.”
“I’m just helping her out and taking her for dinner to celebrate her new job. That’s it.”
“I’m going to be the best man, right?” he asks. “I mean, we’re twins.”
“Am I going to be your best man?” I ask him. I don’t know why I’m even entertaining this conversation. Curiosity, I guess.
“Yeah, I mean, unless you pick one of the others. Then hell no.” His grin tells me he’s kidding.
“Fine. You can be my best man. When I find the woman I’m going to marry.” She’s out there. It took some of my brothers years to find their special someone. I’m certain mine will come along eventually, and when she does, yeah, my twin will be my best man.
“Stubborn. You know how this works, Maverick. You’ve seen it seven times now.”
“Friends. Repeat after me. We. Are. Just. Friends.”
“For now.” He stands and stretches his arms over his head. “I’m headed over to Brooks’s place. He’s off this weekend, but Palmer is shooting an engagement this evening. I told him I’d come over and help him with the kids. I’d ask you to come, but I know you’ve got plans with your girls.”
“Yeah. No. I mean, yes, I have plans with Stella and Ada. They’re not my girls.”
“Have fun!” he calls over his shoulder as he makes his way down the hall to his room.
I still have a while before the agreed-upon time that I could pick Stella and Ada up from her grandparents' place. I’ve thought about calling several times to see if she wanted to move up the time, but I assume when she gave me a time, it was to work around Ada’s nap schedule. At least, that’s my assumption. I know she didn’t have to work today at the boutique. Maybe she was helping out at the hardware store with her grandparents. Regardless, I have three hours, and I can’t sit here for a second longer.