Page 37 of Always Be Mine

Chase crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Well, what do you think of that one?” He reached over and pointed with an unnecessary level of exaggeration to the coconut-dusted chocolate.

“It’s good.”

“Good?”

Craig shrugged. “Yeah. It’s good.”

His brother blew out a deep sigh and put his hands flat on the table in front of him. “If you don’t want to do this today, just say so, because I’m sure I could find a dozen better ways to spend my time.”

“Sorry.” Craig ran his hands through his hair, tugging on the roots before releasing it with a shake. “I’m a little distracted today.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

“But I’m ready now.” Craig pulled the tray of confections closer to him. “Let’s do this.” He picked up a round milk chocolate ball with a coffee bean pressed into the top. He lifted it to his lips. “It’s just that I don’t know who it is.”

“Who what is?” Chase tilted his head in question.

“I mean, I should know who. Right?” Craig held the chocolate aloft and stared at Chase, waiting for an answer. “That’s reasonable, right?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Craig.” Chase shook his head. “Or should I say,whowe’re talking about.”

Craig looked at the candy in his hand and took a breath. It didn’t matter who she was dating. It was none of his business. Lucy was allowed to have a life outside of work. And that’s all he and Meri were—work. It didn’t matter that every time he looked at her, he remembered the kiss they’d shared and the way it had lit up his body, despite the fact it had ended almost before it began. It didn’t matter that he found himself looking for reasons to text her or call her during the day just because he wanted to hear from her. Or that coming home from work to see her with his daughter had very quickly become the highlight of his day.

No.

None of that mattered.

It couldn’t.

“It doesn’t matter.” He refocused on the chocolate. “This one looks good. I like the coffee—she doesn’t drink coffee. Did you know that?”

Chase groaned and pulled out a chair and sat heavily across from him. “Who doesn’t drink coffee?”

“Lucy.”

His brother swallowed back a laugh. “I should have known.”

Craig dropped the chocolate. “What do you mean by that?”

“Never mind.” Chase shook his head. “So, Lucy doesn’t drink coffee. I won’t hold that against her. But what’s all this aboutwhothat you’re going on about? Who should you know?”

He debated the pros and cons of confiding in his brother. It probably wasn’t a good idea to say anything at all to any of his siblings, but his best friend Andy was busy with his own life in Vancouver, and Chase was sitting right there. “I should know who she’s dating, don’t you think?” The question was out of his mouth before he could reconsider.

And judging by Chase’s low whistle and wide eyes, he probably should have reconsidered. “You want to know who Lucy’s dating?”

“Never mind.” Craig looked down at the table but then instantly looked up again. “I know I shouldn’t care. It shouldn’t matter, right?”

“Well, I?—”

“But she is spending time with my daughter, so don’t you think that means I should know whoshe’sspending time with?”

“I don’t know if?—”

“It speaks directly to her character.” Craig jumped up from the table and paced to the window of the shop that looked out onto the plaza. “And if she’s going to bring this guy around Meri, I think that gives me a right.”

“Whoa. Slow down.”

Craig spun on his heel and stared at his brother.

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