Page 69 of Keep On Loving You

“I mean, I don’t think it’s too much of a big deal,” Andy said. “But if?—”

“I kind of like you staying at Kat’s place, actually.”

Kat froze, the plush giraffe in her hand when she heard Craig.He liked that Andy was staying with her?

“Why is that?” Annie asked for her.

“If she’s got a roommate, it’s harder for any assholes to come along and take advantage of her.” Craig spoke as if she wasn’t right there. “Especially now with all this stuff with the will winding down. I think it’s more important than ever for us to make sure that some dude doesn’t mess with Kat.”

Poppy let out a screech of protest and tried to lunge for the giraffe, reminding Kat that she was holding the baby toy hostage. She gave it back to her niece and rose to standing.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Kat asked her brother with a shake of her head. “Do you think I’m some helpless woman who will fall for some douchebag dude who only wants to date me for some family money that they think I might be getting?” She stared at Craig in disbelief. There was no way he was serious.

“It’s actually not a bad thought,” Chase added. “I mean, you’re our baby sister, Kat. It makes sense that we should be protective of you.”

“Protective, sure.” She shot a look at Chase. “But not all caveman.”

Chase shook his head, dismissing her. “No. I think Craig has a good point. As long as Andy’s around, he can vet any jerks who might come around.”

“Becausemyown personal judgment isn’t enough?” Kat could truly not believe what she was hearing.

Andy had apparently chosen that moment to stay quiet, so it was Annie who stepped in. “So, you’re not worried about Andy and Kat?”

If looks could kill, Kat would have been looking for a new best friend after the look she shot Annie. So much for flying under the radar.

But her brothers were way too focused on Kat’s personal lack of judgment to notice anything else. Craig laughed, and Chase made a snorting noise at Annie’s suggestion.

“Yeah, no,” Chase said. “Andy’s one of us. He’s our brother.”

Annie raised her eyebrows.

“Besides,” Craig spoke up. “Andy already knows how I feel about anyone like him going anywhere near Kat.”

“Anyone likehim?” Kat raised her brow in question. “And what is that exactly?”

“He’s a total player, with more women than he can keep track of.” Craig rolled his eyes. “Andy’s made it perfectly clear that he’s never going to settle down, and just keeps women around for?—”

“Whoa.” Andy raised his hand. “First of all, I already told you,” he said first to Craig before looking at Kat, “I amnota player.”

“If a leopard has spots,” Craig muttered under his breath.

Andy shook his head and ignored his friend, focusinginstead on Kat. “People change,” he said softly, his gaze locked on hers. “Things change.”

He looked like he was about to say more, but Annie cleared her throat loudly. “It’s not like any of this matters, anyway.” She stepped between Kat and Andy, forcing them to look away from each other. “First of all, Kat is her own woman, and I think we can all trust her judgment. Wouldn’t you agree?” When Craig and Chase didn’t respond immediately, Annie nudged them. “Right, guys?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

“Okay.” Annie grinned. “Now, I think we should get this sweet little girl back to her mama for a nap. Come on, Kat.”

With a sigh of relief, Kat steered the stroller around and together, she and Annie started walking. They’d only gone a few steps when Craig called out.

“Wait. What was the second thing?” he asked. “You saidfirst of all. What was the other thing?”

Annie reached for Kat’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before she turned to Craig. “There is no other thing. We can trust Kat’s judgment. Period.”

And then, before anyone else could respond, the women walked away, and Kat couldn’t help but wonder what she’d done to get such an amazing best friend.

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