Page 161 of Hidden Nature

“I hate burpees.”

“Everyone sane hates burpees. But I can do my twenty now.”

“I’d do twenty with you, then add another five to prove my superior manliness.”

She sent him a sour look over her coffee. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really. But there’s not enough space for two in that room you’ve got.”

“Barely space for me, but it works. You can grab something to eat if you want, and your sub’s in the fridge. I know you and Theo are coming to Sunday dinner, but—”

She broke off as Tic yipped and scrambled seconds before someone knocked on the door.

“Expecting anybody?”

“No.”

“Want me to hide in a closet?”

“No.” She eye-rolled and laughed. “We’re adults. Besides, your truck’s right out there.”

She crossed to the door, pointed at Tic.

“Sit.”

Then she opened the door, and before the dog could leap, she did.

“Oh my God, Joel!” Laughing she wrapped around him. “Sari, look at you!”

She opened one arm to draw the female—and pregnant, Nash noted—half of the couple into the hug.

“Surprise!” Sari laughed with it. “I know it’s early, but Joel wouldn’t wait.She’s up, he says.She’ll be up.”

“And I was right. Sis, you look good. You got a dog?” He bent to scrub his hands over Tic, who all but collapsed in worship.

“He’s not mine. Come in, come in out of the cold. When did you get here? You couldn’t have driven up from Annapolis this morning.”

“Last night,” Sari told her while Joel and Tic fell in love. “I was just too tired to go a step more. It’s a babymoon,” she added, rubbing circles on her baby bump. “We’re taking a long weekend, so—”

She broke off when she finally looked around enough to see Nash.

She had full, shapely lips, and they curved into a slow smile. “Oh, well, hi there.”

“Hi.”

“Oh, sorry, Joel and Sari Warren, Nash Littlefield.”

“Theo’s brother.” Joel straightened, but didn’t smile. “He’s marrying Drea.”

“We’re going to celebrate that when we have Sunday dinner at the Coopers’.” As she spoke, Sari walked over, extended a hand. “It’s great meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you.”

“Let me take your coats. Sit down! I’ve got coffee. You probably can’t have the coffee,” Sloan added as she took Sari’s coat.

“I had my one sad cup already. And I have to pee again anyway.”

“Right down here.”

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