Page 116 of Three Reckless Words

“Visiting Colt, obviously. You know I’m not here for you. Didn’t he tell you we have plans?” She sails into the kitchen and I follow, gritting my teeth and hoping Winnie doesn’t choose this instant to pop in. “I want to take the boys out to the park to fly their drones.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“Must I run everything past you to see my own son?”

My glare could melt through solid granite.

“I’m his dad,” I remind her, folding my arms.

In this space, I’m painfully aware of the fact that Winnie was here last night, cooking with me while our elbows touched. The lightest brushes were a soft breeze, bringing the storm that came later.

The air feels different in this kitchen with Rina today.Colder.

“When it involvesourson, I have a right to know.”

“And I’m his mother. Are you saying you don’t trust me to look after him?”

“I’m saying you gave up your right to just skip through his life when you walked out.” Yes, my temper is off the rails. I suck in a low, slow breath. Hard to believe we were ever anything more than two strangers bristling with suspicion. Did I ever love her?

She sighs and shakes her head.

“You should’ve called me, Rina.”

“I told Colt to run it by you. I figured he did. He says he wants to go.”

Yeah, I know because he told me. And it wouldn’t have pissed me off so much if I hadn’t forgotten about it.

Predictably, Winnie chooses this very second to waltz in.

She’s cleaned up well, decked out in a green skirt paired with a white shirt that clings to her curves. Nothing inappropriate, but still hot as fuck.

Her hair is piled in a messy bun, and she beams like the morning.

At the arched entryway, she stops, staring at Rina like she’s seeing double.

Rina stares right back.

If these were two cats crossing paths, they’d be blowing up like furry balloons, if they weren’t already ripping and biting each other.

“Oh. Crap.” Winnie rips her gaze away from Rina to look at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Rina gives a sickly smile I don’t believe for a second.

“I’m the one who’s intruding, believe me. I didn’t realize I’d interrupt your precious time playing house, Archer.”

“It’s not like that, Rina,” I bite off.

My vision goes red.

She’s too good at pushing my buttons.

“Oh, I think I know exactly what it is. No need to hide it. You’re a grown man and you can do what you want.” Her eyes flick between us both. The worst part is, she’s not wrong. Winnie looks healthily fucked andhappy. “I just didn’t know you were bringing your girlfriend around Colt, Arch.”

“Rina, enough,” I spit.

Winnie forms up beside me and throws her arm around my shoulders.

It’s so unexpected I almost jump.

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