Page 104 of Unexpected Entanglement

“She has me,” Chris’ voice chimed in from the sitting area on the porch.

Rowan spun to the sound of his voice and saw him rising from a chair. Chris smiled at Meredith and Sam as he walked to them.

“How was the tour? I hope you found everything to your liking,” Chris said.

“Everything’s beyond what we expected,” Meredith replied cheerily. “Truthfully, I was picturing a very rustic, down-to-earth decor. And that is exactly what you’re giving us, except it’s dreamier than what’s in my head.”

“That’s good to hear,” Chris nodded satisfactorily. “Right, hon?”

Meredith and Sam’s eyes widened upon hearing Chris’ term of endearment. They both turned their questioning gaze from him to Rowan.

Damn it, Chris. What is he doing?

“I didn’t want to say anything since it’s your wedding weekend and all,” Rowan started, not having much choice but to play along. “But Chris isn’t my manager. He’s my fiancé.”

“I’m sorry. Your what?” Meredith asked.

“Fiancé.” Chris’ smile grew bigger as he put his arm around Rowan’s shoulders. “Rowan and I are engaged.”

“Why did you do that?” Rowan pushed Chris into her quarters and locked the door behind her. “What happened to keeping things on the DL?”

Naturally, Meredith and Sam had been shocked at their engagement news. They had a lot of follow-up questions Rowan and Chris weren’t ready to answer on the spot. With Gibbes, they had no problem being vague or telling him to mind his own business. But not that simple to brush off Rowan’s cousin.

“Now I have to lie to my family.” Rowan glared at him exasperatedly. “What were you thinking?”

“I overheard Meredith bombarding you about being alone out here. I felt I needed to have your back.”

“I’m capable of standing up for myself.”

“That’s not what—”

“I was handling it before you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong!”

Chris stepped back, nonplussed. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.”

“What am I supposed to tell my family when you leave? They already thought I was crazy for ending a five-year relationship. What would they think about me now for being engaged to a stranger?”

“It doesn’t matter what anybody thinks,” Chris retorted.

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to face them. First, the islanders, now my family!”

“I didn’t start this, Rowan.” Chris was incredulous.

His sharp tone jolted the annoyance out of Rowan. She took a couple of beats and was calmer when she spoke again. “I know I put you in this situation. I’m grateful you went along with this crazy scheme to get Gibbes off my back.”

“Don’t forget Greg,” he pointed out.

“Right.” Rowan scrunched her eyelids shut while pressing her fingers to her temples. “Shit. I’m sorry for yelling.”

“Me, too. I’m sorry if I put you in a difficult position.” Chris took her hands away and took over massaging her temples with his thumbs, and she sighed in relief.

“I also heard Meredith pushing you about your ex,” Chris added, but didn’t say it did not thrill him.

Rowan opened her eyes. “They invited Richard to the wedding.”

Chris’ thumbs froze. “He’s coming?”

Rowan nodded, looking tired. Chris resumed his gentle massage on her temples, continued onto the side of her head, and down to her neck. He felt her tensed muscles and tried to ease them.

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