Page 82 of Shades of You

“May I suggest that you not compare my family to the Taliban in their presence?”

He winked. “I was only kidding.”

In the end, we’d had to wait more than a day to arrange this get-together. A week had passed since he gave me thatwonderful book, now in a place of honor in the bookcase in my apartment. Together, we descended the stairs and exited into the brightness of day. Hunter’s Range Rover sat like a sleek, mechanical beast, ready to carry us off to new territory—a casual lunch with my family. There was tightness in my stomach, but it was smaller than it had been half an hour ago. Lighter somehow, as if Hunter’s choice of attire signaled a shift in the universe.

Once inside the vehicle, I settled into the plush leather seat as Hunter took his place behind the wheel. The engine roared to life under his command. The drive to Siesta Sunset was a blur of anticipation and the occasional stolen glance. When we pulled into the parking lot, Hunter’s hand found mine, giving it an encouraging squeeze.

We made our way toward Tidal Hops, nestled among palm trees rustling in the gentle sea breeze. Hunter’s gaze swept over the pastel-colored buildings, the pool where several guests were enjoying a game of water polo, and the laughter of kids chasing each other on the beach.

“The place has a great vibe,” he commented, turning to me with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

I laughed, a little self-conscious as we continued next to the pool. Tall palms swayed above us. “Thanks, but we’re no Calypso Key. Our budget is… well, you know.”

“So what? The whole place is charming. It feels real, cozy, and approachable. You guys are doing an amazing job.”

Warmth spread through me at his words. We stepped inside Tidal Hops, and here I didn’t feel any misgivings about the Coleridge budget. Braden had done a fantastic job with his surfboards hung on the light turquoise walls and glass buoys hanging in nets from the ceiling.

Though I also couldn’t deny the soft tension hanging inthe air. The kind that precedes any family gathering where everyone is trying just a bit too hard to get along.

“And here’s the man of the hour!” Harper, true to her word to welcome my love, approached with her usual vibrant energy. Her eyes glinted mischievously as she craned her head at Hunter. “You sure you’re not doubling as a lighthouse? Because you could guide ships to shore with that height!”

Hunter smiled, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. “Guess I’m just built for better views.”

Standing next to him, I studied this man who’d once been the town’s bad-boy mystery, now slightly shy in the face of a compliment. My heart felt too big to contain. Hunter had come so far from the shadows that once defined him. He stood tall in a world of color.

And it was completely, utterly adorable.

My brothers sat around a worn wooden table, and I was relieved to see alertness but no hard stares on any faces. We took our chairs with Ben sitting next to me, leaving Austin across from us. Our fishing guide, Austin’s gray eyes were watchful as he gave Hunter a nod. Catching my imploring eye, he smiled and smoothed his brown hair. “Welcome to Siesta Sunset.”

“Thanks,” Hunter said, shaking his hand. “This is a great bar.”

Braden, with his easy smile, placed a couple of large, steaming pizzas on the table, along with a pitcher of frothy beer. “Thanks! Sorry for the simple spread. Pizza’s just quick and easy when we’ve got to feed a crowd.”

“Hey, don’t apologize.” Hunter flashed an easy smile and showed no signs of nerves. “I’ve never been one to turn down pizza or beer.” He raised his slice in a salute as Braden took the seat next to Austin.

“Speaking of which,” Hunter commented after taking a long, evaluating taste of the golden liquid in his glass. “This beer is something else. Perfect amount of hops.”

Harper groaned. “Oh God. Please don’t compliment him! Braden never shuts up about beer.”

I laughed, relaxing at last as Braden merely gave Hunter a regal nod.

Eli, who’d been quiet until now, cleared his throat. “We’re all pretty protective of our sisters, and I’d be lying if I said I was happy when I heard you and Brenna were involved. All of us were. But a lot of time has passed since that poker game, and maybe Brenna’s right. Maybe it is time for a new beginning.” He lifted his glass high and smiled, lighting up the room. “To the official end of the Coleridge-Markham feud. And maybe the start of new friendships.” His sun-streaked, tousled hair matched his carefree disposition. Sometimes I envied Eli’s ability to get along with people.

“I will absolutely drink to that!” I said, winking at Hunter.

“Cheers,” the rest echoed as our glasses clinked in the middle of the table. The final tendril of residual tension I’d been carrying melted away like foam on the beach.

As we dug into our meal, I turned to Ben. “How’s work going?”

Ben sighed and set his pizza down on his plate. “I got laid off from the landscaping gig. Hank had to cut back and kept me on as long as he could. So now I’m turning over every stone for part-time work.”

I felt a pang of sympathy for him. Ben was trying so hard to find his footing, and life kept yanking the rug out from under him.

But before I could say anything, Hunter chimed in, “I’ve been thinking about hiring someone to do on-call work at KeyMark Security. You interested?”

Ben’s eyebrows shot up, and he leaned in front of me to level a long stare at Hunter. “You’d give me a job?”

“It wouldn’t be full-time, but I could use someone reliable now and again. I think you’d be a good fit. You can handle yourself in a pinch, and you know the town better than most.”

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