Page 161 of Unexpected Redemption

Madeline affixes a phony-baloney smile to her face. “What makes you think I haven’t, darling?”

I catch eyes with Sue across the table. She looks the way I feel—curious to ask for details while simultaneously knowing it’s none of my damn business.

The conversation shrivels up like a raisin in the sun.

You know what? Scratch that. Let’s go with a grape in this sun, given a raisin is already shriveled.

And why am I correcting myself as if someone will be reading a transcript of my thoughts?

Stupid, Lettie.

Once the dishes are done, the ladies and I have our fortieth group restroom break of the day, as per tradition.

As we exit into the hallway, Tomer’s waiting for me. “Ready to go to our room, sugar?”

I nod, happy to spend time lazing in bed with him. I’ll talk him into letting me pick what we watch on his laptop. I know the secret to getting my way. Boob flashing and ball cupping. Feel free to use that trick, ladies.

He laces his fingers through mine, bringing our hands to his mouth. As he’s been doing more often, he kisses my empty ring finger, flashing a wink.

Playfully, I tilt my head backward, tossing my hand against my forehead. “Swoon.”

His velvety chuckle dances across my skin.

“Hey, Tomer. Wait up,” a familiar voice calls out from behind us.

Turning around, we find Sawyer jogging down the hall.

“What’s up?” Tomer asks him.

“I need to show you something.” Sawyer flings his thumb over his shoulder. “In the lair.”

Tomer glances at me with his brows raised.

“Let’s roll, chief.”

Shaking his head, he leads me in the other direction. When we get a few steps from the lair, he freezes, his legs locking in place. Hair stands on the back of my neck as fear threatens to burst my happy bubble.

I trace the path of Tomer’s eyes, searching for whatever’s got him dumbstruck.

The blank space on the wall beside his office door is no longer empty.

His door sign.

It’s there.

A shiny, new one.

I glare over my shoulder at Sawyer in a silent warning. He better have made it a good one.

Sammy stands beside him, clutching his arm and cuddling up to him. A big smile dances across her face.

It can’t be bad if she’s smiling like that.

With my knee-jerk reaction under control, I peek around Tomer’s shoulder to read the sign for myself.

Tomer Stillman.

Below that, it readsRedleg’s Best Kept Secret. Everyone’s Unexpected Hero.

---