Page 65 of Shattered Secrets

Scarlet chuckled.

“He’d like to meet you.”

Her smile faded. “What?”

“My brother. He’d like to meet you.” An amused glint sparked in his eyes, but she was too shocked to appreciate it. “Jake and his wife, Carmen, are going to be over sometime in the next few weeks, and he wants to meet you.”

“You told him about me?”

“Of course I did. Told him about Daisy as well. Jake says Carm wants to stay at the resort while they’re here, so what do you say? Want to have them over for dinner? Throw some steaks on the grill or something?”

Meet his brother and sister-in-law? “Um, if you’re sure. I mean, I wouldn’t want to impose on your brother time.”

“Trust me, you’re never an imposition.”

He studied her for a moment, and she watched him back. Seeing this relaxed side of him was nice. Beyond nice, actually.

“So, we’ve discussed our childhoods. What else should we talk about?” She tapped her finger against her chin playfully, enjoying how talking with Matt took the edge off her nerves. “Are you dating anyone?”

His grin was ridiculous. “You know I’m not.”

“Hey,” she said, holding up her hands. “You never know.”

“I haven’t dated anyone in a long, long time.”

“How is that even possible? You’re...” She waved her hand at him in a circular motion.

His brow scrunched. “I’m what?”

“‘What?’ You’re fishing for a compliment is what.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re a ridiculously good-looking man, Matt. And you know it.”

He scoffed. “I know no such thing. I moved to Hudson right after I got divorced, and as you’re aware—firsthand, I might add—I’m not exactly amicable. To anyone.”

She snorted. “‘Not exactly amicable’?”

“Hey, it’s nicer than saying I’m an asshole, right?” He threw her a wink.

“You were never an asshole,” she said, laughing. “Just kind of... grumpy. Growly. Broody.” She shrugged. “Not gonna lie though, it also kinda worked for you. The growly thing you do is superhot.”

His smile was blinding as he placed his drink on the coffee table. “Is that so?”

“Maybe . . .”

“Well,” he said, scooting over a cushion. Now he sat right beside her. “What would you say if I told you the only reason I was grumpy and growly?—”

“And broody,” she added with a smirk.

“Right. Then what if I said I was grumpy and growly and broody with you because you tied my tongue in knots?”

She chuckled. “Sure.”

“I’m dead serious, Scar. You can even ask Cade.”

Scarlet pursed her lips as she studied the man. The earlier melancholy in his eyes was gone, replaced by a lightness she’d never seen. And she liked it. A lot.

She also liked how his gaze lingered on her mouth.

“Are you flirting with me, Matthew Alvarez?”

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