Page 32 of 7 Dirty Lies

“I can hear you,” Ted called over hisshoulder.

“No youcan’t!”

He stopped and turned just enough that he could see me without letting go of Charley’s hand.“I know what you’re thinking.And Iresentit.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at Charley.“Thank you for taking him off myhands.”

She laughed.“Like I change anything.You two are twins separated atbirth.”

“For the kid,” I corrected.“The kid will change things.He’ll be sleep deprived and focused on Evangeline insteadofme.”

“You do have a point,” she nodded.“Based on his baby obsession levels I’d say you have at least three months of peace and quiet headedyourway.”

Ted laid his hand on the side of Charley’s belly.“Don’t listen to them, Angie.They’re just jealous of whatwehave.”

Our laughter was quickly overtaken by a very loud booming male voice echoing down the sweeping staircase.“My bedroom is off limits.Get those bags outnow.” Two terrified assistants scattered away, allowing me to see the source of thevoice.

Familiarity tingled.The baritone, the exasperated way he yanked on his hair, the eyes...ohgod.

ItwasColt.

I froze where I stood and had the brief fantasy of diving into the nearest room before he saw me, as if it would change the fact we were both standing in the samehouse.

What was my Caribbean Cowboydoinghere?

“Mr.Landry I apologize for the mix-up,” Tabitha apologized profusely.“Miss Lawrence’s belongings were supposed to be placed in the O’Hara room.It was my fault.My sheet was mislabeled.We’re movingeverythingnow.”

ColtLandry?Colt was a Landry?Was hetheLandry?And why were my things inhisroom?

“I don’t care how famous your movie star is, I just want her crap where it belongs.”He tugged on his hair again, swearing.“I can’t believe it’s going to be like this allsummer.”

“I assure you Miss Lawrence would be mortified if she knew about this.She won’t be bothering you, Ipromise.”

Ten points toTabitha.

“Right...because movie stars are so well known for their boundaries and caring hearts.”He spun around and started down thestairs.

Towardsus.

I duckedbehindTed.

Ted didn’t move.For some peculiar reason he was standing there as if he weren’t just as stunned as I was to see Colt.I listened as Colt’s footsteps echoed off the stairs, turningourway.

Click, clack.Click, clack.Pause.

“Ted?”

“Colt!Good to see you.Beautifulhouse.”

Another long pause in which I could hear every beat of myheart.

“What are you doing here?”he asked casually.“And wait...is thatCharley?”

“Good to see you again, Colt.A lot’s happened since theWesterly.”

“I can see that.”His laugh was a thing of pure delight.“You look radiant.I take it vacation was good for the twoofyou.”

“Well, I’m Charlotte Burgandy-Lowe now and in about a month we’ll have an Evangeline screaming around yourhouse.”

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