Page 65 of Love, Hate, Love

“Thanks,” she said. “Did I wake you?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Actually, I’m glad you’re up. I need a favor.”

“Sure.” She was asking me for something? Had we finally turned a corner? I went to get a glass for myself so she couldn’t see me smiling.

“Could you ask Alec to come to the wedding?”

Not the favor I was hoping she’d ask for. Did she have a thing for him? She had to. Why else? Was he holding out on me? I was going to punch him in the face when I saw him if he was.

“Kade? Is that okay?”

“Huh, yeah. I’m not sure if he’ll come, but I’ll ask. Does Cassie know him?”

“No. I just thought it might make Missy feel more comfortable.”

I spun, going from a boiling rage to suspicion.

“They don’t have a thing, do they? I’m not sure that’s a good match.”

“No, I don’t either, but…” She threw her hands up. “I don’t want to get into the details, but can you see what you can do?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Thank you. See you in the morning.”

This was the first thing Leah had asked me for since she’d been here, and I’d be damned if Alec wasn’t getting his ass here. I grabbed my phone as soon as I went back into the bedroom.

“You up?”

“Would it matter if I wasn’t?” he asked. He sounded like he was wide awake.

“I need you to come out here for a wedding.” It wouldn’t hurt to have another set of eyes on Leah’s stepfather.

“Will there be available women there?”

“It’s a wedding. What do you think?”

“Okay, I guess I can make it. Text me the date and I’ll add it to my schedule.”

“Can you do me a favor, though, and not bang your way through the entire guest list?”

“Now you want two favors?” He groaned. “I won’t touch the bride or Leah. It’s the most I can promise.”

“Fine. Just get here.”

“Alec? What are you doing? I’m getting cold all alone,” a female voice said in the background.

“I gotta go,” he said, and hung up.

I tossed my phone to the side and remembered the last time Leah had looked up at me and asked for a favor.

Ten yearsago

Leah was sittingup in the barn loft, waiting for me.

“You know that wood is half rotted,” I said.

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