Page 60 of Even Exchange

“Your key.” I hold up my spare attached to a special keychain.

She walks over slowly and takes it from my hand. “Why are you giving me this?”

“Because you’re the person I trust most in Crystal Bay,” I say, the admission hanging heavy in the air between us. “And I’m one hundred percent certain Elijah and Theo would throw a rager the first weekend I’m gone, and I’d have to kill them. The backyard is spacious, but not big enough to hide two bodies.” She analyzes the little keychain and holds it against her chest. My casual expression breaks into a full toothed smile. “Do you like it?”

She rubs her fingertips over thecornicellokeychain. “Iloveit.”

“To protect you when I’m gone,” I tell her, my chest tightening, and she glances up, eyes meeting mine.

“Thank you.”

“Welcome.” I grin.

She hooks the keychain around her finger, twirling it. “So let’s say you were out of town andIwanted to use your place.”

“Consider it your personal getaway.”Although I’d prefer you use it when I’m here too.

“And if I want to bring a guy here to use the amenities?”

My veins buzz, and I fold my arms over my chest. “Absolutely not.”

She pouts. “Why not?” The corners of her lips curling upward suggest shemustbe messing with me.

She better be.

“If I have to think about you being in my house with some other guy’s hands—” I cut off the admission, taking a calming breath. “No.”

“Why?” she asks, expression turning serious. “What if he’s just a friend?”

I’m “just a friend,” and I still think about her naked at least four times a week. But I don’t need to mention that.

“No,” I repeat, narrowing my eyes at her. “The only guys you’re allowed to bring here are Elijah, Julian, and Theo.” She cocks a brow at the last name. “Actually, not Theo.”

She contemplates me. “You’re a possessive friend.”

I smirk down at her. “And before you get any ideas, I have a doorbell cam, so I’ll know if you show up with any of your suitors.”

She presses her lips together and bursts out laughing. “Noah, I’m fucking with you. I wouldn’t use your place for that.”

“I know.” A wicked smile spreads across my face. “Because your possessive best friend would hunt them down and bury them in his new backyard.”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “I thought there wasn’t enough room?”

“I’d find room.”

She shifts in place. “Andbestfriend?”

I shrug, heart stuck in my throat. “You got a better option?”

“Andi, Stella, Theo?—”

My jaw ticks. “Seriously?”

“Kidding.” She grins, picking up a vibrant cappuccino cup with lemons and flowers on it to continue her organization.One of my favorites.“This is so pretty.”

“I made it in Palermo last summer.”

“Youmadethis?” she asks, analyzing my handiwork.

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