Page 17 of Breathless

Thoreau reached for a clean cup and poured more beer into it, handing it to him. “It’s a hardship,” he agreed easily. “But at least Austen married that pilot. He isn’t related to anyone we know.”

Wyatt snorted, lifting the cup with shaky hands. “He’s JD Green’s brother. Green married the guy who works with my brother, Brady.”

“Carter. I know.” Thoreau smiled. “Still not a Finn. What do you say?”

Wyatt leaned back into his pillows. “I won’t argue. Like you said, Fiona is comfortable at your place. And I don’t want to be anybody’s hot potato. I’d rather go somewhere I’m actually wanted.”

“You won’t be in our way.” You’re wanted.

Wyatt looked like he’d just bitten into a lemon. “She has her own bedroom—Fiona, I mean? One that she sleeps in alone?”

He wouldn’t laugh. Wyatt was still in a hospital gown and he wouldn’t laugh. “Yes, Wyatt. It has a lock and everything. She sleeps alone, and that won’t change as long as you’re there.”

Unless you want it to.

After savoring another sip, he asked, “Did you make this? It’s really good.”

“I did. And other than me, you’re the only guy who’s gotten a taste.”

He finally got a grudging smile. “Really?”

Thoreau sat down in the lounge chair beside the bed and started talking about his recipe for cream ale, while a little thrill of nervous excitement pulsed under his skin.

He’d said yes.

He couldn’t wait to see Fiona’s face when he told her. She’d be surprised. Stunned might be a better word. But he knew it was the best solution for all of them.

Phase one was under way and failure was not an option.

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