Page 49 of Unexpected Entanglement

Let me do the talking this time.

“When is the next Chamber of Commerce meeting? I’m sure Rowan would be happy to attend and update the Chamber on the Bright Head Inn’s progress and future plan,” Chris suggested.

Rowan pinched him at the waist at her displeasure of his promising something on her behalf, but she didn’t negate him.

“This coming Thursday at five-thirty.” Gibbes turned his gaze to Rowan. “Are you going to attend for once?”

From Rowan’s pursed lips, Chris could tell she wasn’t happy about the reprimand. But she answered through clenched teeth, “I’ll be there.”

“Good. We have a lot of questions that we hope you can answer.” Gibbes backed off. “Since you’re here, Mr. Sullens, you might as well come. It’ll be a good idea for you to understand our island better, since you advise Rowan here.”

Gibbes glanced once more at Rowan. “Congratulations on your engagement. Listen to your fiancé. He seems level-headed, which is something I can’t say much about the Kellys.” Without a goodbye, he turned back to his truck.

If he hadn’t already had his arm around her, Chris wouldn’t have been fast enough to restrain Rowan from throwing a punch at the older man.

Rowan's anger didn’t dissipate as Connor Gibbes' wheels churned up dust on her driveway. She barely registered Chris’ arm loosening around her waist. It was Alex who jarred her out of her red daze by shaking her silly.

“How could you keep something this big from me?” Alex chastised her. “If I wasn’t so excited for you, I would’ve killed you!”

Rowan’s eyes refocused on her friend’s exuberant face, and reality came crashing back on her.

Oh, crap.

“Do we have champagne in the house? We gotta celebrate!” In her excitement, Alex’s eyes ricocheted back and forth between Chris and Rowan.

“Why don’t you go check?” Chris suggested. “Rowan and I will be right behind you.”

“Okay.” Alex almost ran back to the house but doubled back and kissed Rowan on the cheek hard. “God, I’m so happy for you!”

She then jogged to the house, yelling, “Don’t be too long!”

Rowan could only follow her bullet train of a friend’s exit with panic building in her eyes. “What the hell did I do?” she murmured to herself as the consequences of a few little words dawned on her.

She forced herself to turn to Chris, knowing he was probably questioning her sanity.

“That Gibbes is such a dick,” he said. “I see what you mean now.”

Her mouth gaped open as she stared at him in disbelief.

“You better call your brother and give him a heads-up,” Chris suggested. “We don’t want him to blow our cover.”

“Our… cover?” Rowan echoed the words in confusion.

“Our engagement,” Chris reminded. “He’s the only one who knows why I’m really here. I’m guessing Gibbes isn’t the type who would keep things like this to himself.”

“The word will be out by morning.”

“Kieran needs to hear it from you.”

“Right.” Rowan pulled her phone out of her pocket but stopped short of dialing her brother’s number. She eyed Chris. “How are you so calm about this? I just used you in the biggest lie I’ve ever told.”

“Because I didn’t expect my presence would cause you a problem.” Chris looked at her pensively. “I probably would’ve tried talking him down differently, but this is the situation we’re in now.”

“I’m sorry for putting you in the middle of my mess,” she said.

One corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile. “Let’s get Kieran in the loop. Then we’ll see how we deal with this.”

“And Alex, too.” Rowan looked at the house where Alex had gone to. “She’s not gonna be happy with me.”

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