Page 56 of Hungry Hearts

She snorts out a huff of air. “Oh, it’ll be awkward. I’ve been on the receiving end of pitying looks from my family and from Ruby’s friends’ parents when they learn I’m a widow. I’m used to that. No one has ever seen me with a man by my side since Adam. He was my first boyfriend in high school. I don’t know how you’ll be received, and I want the attention to be on Ruby, not on us.”

No longer upset for her not wanting me there, I lean over to her and kiss her temple. “I’ll tell Ruby I have to work, which isn’t a lie. I’d take the night off for her, but I don’t want to be a disruption at her party.”

“Could you come over in the morning? The party doesn’t start until two. That way Ruby will get to see you and you won’t have to take time off work.”

“I don’t care about taking time off work. But yes. I’ll come by in the morning.”

“Thank you.” Those whiskey eyes bat long, dark eyelashes at me and I do all I can not to pull her onto my lap and kiss her senseless.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“THE FUCK YOU DOINGat my door at seven fucking thirty in the morning?” Trey pushes his hand through his bed head hair and glares at me with sleepy, beady eyes. He’s shirtless, and his tattoos and muscles frighten most people, but those close to him know he’s mostly bark and little bite.

I’d blame Trey’s grumpy attitude on my surprise visit, but it’s his usual charm. How he won over someone as sweet and sunshiny as Ella, I haven’t a clue.

“Can I borrow your truck?”

“What the fuck for?”

“I need to pick up some supplies at Home Depot.”

“Have them delivered to your swanky apartment.” He begins to close the door to his three thousand square-foot home in the ‘burbs. Like his fiancé, the home doesn’t suit him on appearance, situated at the end of a cul-de-sac with kids riding bikes in the neighborhood. Hell, he even built a chicken coop for Ella in the backyard.

“Who is it?” Ella loops her arm around Trey’s waist and leans her head on his arm. “Hey, Ryder. What brings you by this morning?” She sips her coffee with her free hand.

She’s one hundred percent cute in her messy bun and wearing one of Trey’s T-shirts, which falls to her knees.

“Get your fucking eyes off my wife,” Trey growls.

“Fiancé. She still hasn’t walked down the aisle and made it permanent. You have time to back out, sweetheart.”

“The fuck she does.”

“If he’s holding you against your will, all you have to do is give me a call. I’ll whisk you away and show you how a real man can—”

“Fuck off, Benton.”

Ella grins and pats Trey’s eight-pack of steel. “Nah. This teddy bear has grown on me. I think I’m going to keep him.”

“Open door for you, darling.”

Used to my flirting, Ella knows I’m kidding. As does Trey. He’s too easy to rile up, and I love that Ella will play along at times.

“Come on in. What brings you by?” She moves aside, making room for me, but Trey doesn’t budge.

“We don’t have to let him in,” Trey grumbles.

“Big teddy bear hasn’t had his morning coffee yet?” I poke his chest because poking the bear is fun.

“You’re interfering with my morning sex.”

“Your fiancé always drink coffee first? In my experience, a handful of orgasms do the trick better than caffeine. Unless you’ve been underperforming.”

“Ignore him,” Ella says from the kitchen. “He’s already had his morning lovin’. You’re not interrupting anything but breakfast dishes. I can make you a bagel. Hungry?”

I’m on a tight timetable and don’t have much time for games. “Love to, Ello-Ella, but I’ve got errands to run. Keys, teddy bear?” I hold out my hand to Trey.

“Why?”

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