Page 25 of Honeymoon Phase
We’ve never really been a hugging family. You don’t really hug someone you see every damn day, but since he’s moved toFlorida, it feels weird to run into him. Like I should shake his hand or something, but that’s weird too.
I turn my attention to Edith and give her a wobbly smile as she grips my dad’s arm. They both look tan, wrinkled, and happy. And on some level, that makes me happy. On another level, I hate them both for finding each other and putting me in this situation.
“Nice to see you, Addison,” Edith says, stepping forward and pushing a strand of my dark hair off my shoulder. It’s very maternal and I feel myself shiver away from the touch. Edith never had children of her own and every time I see her, I get the sense that she’d like that type of relationship with me, but she’s barking up the wrong tree.
It’s not that I don’t like Edith, I just have no desire for a mother figure in my life. Ever.
“Nice to see you too,” I force through clenched teeth as I step away from her so she can’t quite reach me.
My dad frowns down at my T-shirt exposed under my open flannel, “‘Split me like a good girl’?” A look of disgust mars his face. “Really, Addie? A company T-shirt would have sufficed.”
I shrug. “It’s punny.”
Edith covers her lips to hide her snickering. I knew I liked her for a reason. I open my mouth to defend my fashion choice, but my dad doesn’t seem like he cares anymore as his eyes move past me, his whole face dropping into a deep scowl. I turn around and my lips part when I see who he’s glaring at.
It’s three of the four Fletcher brothers making their way across the grass toward us. You’d think they’d blend in amongst the sea of flannel here today, yet somehow, they don’t. Their tall, broad frames and trim beards command attention. And I swear, people move back to clear a path for them, their jaws dropping as they ogle the fresh meat. I move my gaze from the older twoand feel my brows furrow when I notice that Luke has a contestant number across his chest.What the hell?
They make their way over to us and I feel my thoughts racing in confusion over the number and Luke’s overall general appearance. He looks... different. Did he get more muscular in the past month and a half since I’ve seen him? His hair got longer, that’s for sure. It’s sticking out from under his backward hat and his light brown beard is fuller and longer than I’ve ever seen it, aging him in a deliciously masculine way even with the boyish backward hat on.
My best friend looks... fucking hot.
What is going on here?
Luke’s eyes land on me and the smile on his face does something to my insides that it should never do. Is that butterflies? I don’t get butterflies for Luke. I get warm and cozy flies, maybe some pesky gnats because I’m not blind. But never butterflies.
This is so weird.
“Hey, Roe,” Luke says, coming to stand in front of me. He pulls his hat off and runs his fingers through his tousled hair and I feel myself want to run my hands through them too. Like super bad.
Dad clears his throat loudly from behind me and I feel myself jump at his greeting. “Hello, Fletcher boys,” he gruffs, stepping past me to reach his hand out to shake Wyatt’s and then Calder’s. “It’s been a while.”
“Luke,” my dad grumbles but doesn’t reach his hand out to shake.
“Hello, Mr. Monroe, nice to see you again.” Luke stuffs his hands into his pockets and stares down at the ground.
My dad tuts his obvious irritation and I have to fight back a laugh. He is such a dick to Luke and all nice and cordial withWyatt and Calder. It’s seriously messed up. He’s not even trying to hide it.
“How’s Florida treating you?” Wyatt asks, and I half hear them catching up with each other. The Fletcher family and Monroe Lumber have worked together for years. My dad even helped Wyatt out after their dad passed and Wyatt suddenly found himself in charge of... well... everything.
At least Wyatt didn’t have to get married to take over their family business.
Luke’s eyes move from my dad to my shirt, and he scowls. “Really?”
“It’s punny! God, what’s with everyone today?” I reach out and poke at the sticker on Luke’s hard chest. “Why are you wearing a contestant number?”
“Because I’m competing,” Luke replies with a casual shrug while pushing the sleeves up on his forearms and revealing more veins than is decent for a public setting.
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” I direct this question to his brothers, who both shake their heads. “Are you guys competing too?”
“We’re just here to check out the competition.” Calder elbows Luke firmly. “Should be interesting.”
“Speaking of which, we should go find some seats. We’ve got a big group coming. We’ll see you around, Mr. Monroe.” Wyatt shakes my dad’s hand again before he and Calder make their way over to some bleachers set up by the chopping exhibit.
“We should go sit too, John.” Edith grabs my dad’s arm, pulling his focus from Luke back to her.
“I’ll save you a seat next to me, Ads,” my dad says with a weak wave, offering nothing but a sneer to Luke.
“Florida definitely hasn’t warmed him up to me,” Luke says as he watches my dad and his girlfriend walk away.
