Page 18 of Unexpected Entanglement

“It’s beautiful out here,” Oliver said, absorbing his surroundings. “And so quiet.”

“It is,” Alex said. “Think you can stand it, city boy?”

“It’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

Rowan studied the soft-spoken chef and smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Hey, how are you doing?” Alex threw her arm around Rowan and led her away from Oliver. The other chef didn’t seem to mind giving them a little privacy.

“I’m good.” Rowan shrugged.

“Are you really, though?” Her friend studied her with narrowed eyes. “Meredith is concerned—”

Rowan’s eyes popped out at Alex. “About the wedding? I told her it’s under control.”

“Not the wedding. She’s worried about you moving here full time.”

“I’m fine. Have things been easy? No. But I’m handling them.”

“I can see that,” Alex said. “Richard also called me several times. He left messages, saying you’re out of your mind for leaving and asking me to talk to you."

“And?” Rowan didn’t hide her annoyance.

“I blocked his ass. What do you think I’d do? I stick with my girl.” Alex squeezed Rowan’s shoulders. “Though I don’t know the complete picture, if you said you were done with Richard, I’m not wasting my time talking to him. I never really liked him, anyway.”

“You never told me that.” Rowan side-eyed Alex.

Alex returned with her brow-raised look, silently saying, “Girl, really?” That was how blind Rowan had been regarding her relationship with Richard.

A rumbling of vehicles driving on the gravel driveway, kicking up dust in their wake, shattered the quiet. The two of them turned their gazes toward the arrivals.

Rowan recognized Kieran’s truck but not the motorcycle trailing behind him. “Huh. Kieran’s here.”

“Oh good.” Alex turned to Oliver who had rejoined them. “That’s Ro’s brother. Don’t get spooked. The sourpuss attitude he’s wearing, that’s just his face.”

Oliver chuckled as he watched the incoming vehicles and whistled. “I’m more intrigued by that beauty behind him.”

“That’s a guy, bud,” Alex said. “You can’t even see his face.”

“The bike, dude,” Oliver corrected.

“Oh.” Alex turned to Rowan. “Who’s that?”

“I have no idea.”

Rowan made her way back down the stone steps with the two chefs right behind her. Kieran stopped at the end of the path, got out from his truck, and eyed Alex.

“Blue?” Kieran nodded at Alex’s hair.

Alex laughed at Kieran’s typical short greeting. “Still haven’t learned words with more than one syllable, have you, motherfucker?”

“I know them. Just don’t like to use them.” Kieran grinned.

Kieran treated Alex just like he treated Rowan—as his annoying little sister.

“Kieran.” Alex pointed at Oliver. “This is Oliver. He’s helping us with the cooking. He’s excellent.”

“Great. Thanks, man.” Kieran shook O’s hand.

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