Page 15 of Dirty Secret Love

He takes a quick look around, then gives me a once-over. “You look very hot in your work clothes, but you might want to wear something more comfortable.”

I arch an eyebrow, trying to follow his train of thought. “Comfortable?” My voice comes out a bit squeaky, so I clear my throat. “If we’re having coffee at Brew Bar, I think this is perfectly fine. We can just head there.”

“Oh, we’re going somewhere outside of town,” he states, glancing around. “Probably Aspen, Steamboat, or Vail.”

“Trying to avoid the townies?” I tease, nodding toward the town center. “The local gossip crew is having dinner. I don’t think they’ll pay much attention to us.” I don’t point out that many people probably already spotted us and will make up some shit about us being together.

“No, it’s not about avoiding them,” he states. “I want them to know we’re so serious I’m taking you somewhere special for the night.”

I squint at him suspiciously. “You do remember that isn’t allowed in your parole, right?”

He scoffs. “Are you having fun making shit up about me?”

I smirk, tilting my head to the side. “It’s fun to guess why you’re here.”

I may sound playful, I’m partially serious. Wren, Regina, Jez, and I usually try to figure out why CQS is protecting the people who come to town. We were doing great in our investigation until Wren stopped us. Dating Drake changed the way she looks at this whole game we’ve played since the high-intelligence company set up here and started bringing outsiders.

I have a feeling she knows a lot more about the Kershaws, but she won’t say anything because she’s now engaged to one of them. She wants us to leave things alone . . . but I hope I can get a little information from River about his family while we pretend we’re together.

“Well, since you like to have so muchfunwith me, I have the perfect power date for you . . . Make sure to grab walking shoes; I don’t want you to get blisters.” He points at my heels. “Also, pack a bag with two or three days’ worth of clothing.”

My hand hovers over the door’s keypad. “Oh, we’re not doing any physical activities.” I punch in my code and twist the handle.

He chuckles. “Noted, I’ll take it into consideration.”

I shoot him a stern look as I step inside. “You better.”

He follows, taking in my space with an appreciative nod. “This is . . . cozy and cute.”

“Exactly what I was going for when I decorated it, cozy and cute,” I say sarcastically, but then it hits me. Drake had said the exact same thing when he’d come by a few weeks ago to pick up Daisy.

It didn’t sit well with me then. Something about it felt just a tad patronizing. I remember sharing it with Wren later, and she’d said, “That’s how wealthy people tell you something is adorable, but can’t understand why anyone would choose to live in such a small place without the luxuries they’re accustomed to.”

Since we were with Gina and Jez, the conversation changed almost immediately. I never did circle back to the question of whether Drake was loaded or not. I pull out my phone and text Wren.

Sutton:So, Drake and his brothers have money, huh?

Wren:Why are we asking? :thinking: emoji

Sutton:River just called my place cozy and cute, like his brother.

Wren:You can say that they’re comfortable.

Sutton:Comfortable, just like well-off are codes for filthy rich. Don’t deny their fortunes.

Wren:Okay, from what I gathered they’re well-off.

Sutton:Then why do they buy their clothes from the thrift store.

Wren:They only get a small stipend a week—I think it’s Finn’s way to make them squirm or something like that. Make them humble? I haven’t asked his motives. My boss is . . . well, he isn’t in touch with the reality of what people give up when it comes to the program. People have to remind him that they’re humans.

I don’t know much about Finnegan Gil, even when he’s been living in Heartwood Lake on and off because of CQS. I wonder if his personality has to do with the fact that he’s also part of the 1% of the population—they practically own the world. But, as I think about how much River teases me, I wonder if I should ask Finn how to keep this man on his toes while he’s part of the program.

Sutton:Oh, I can help make River humble. Tell your boss to give me some pointers and the rules. :smirk: emoji

Wren:Behave, he’s doing you a favor.

Sutton:He’s also making me squirm . . . I believe in an eye-for-an-eye. Turnabout is fair play and all that good stuff. River will regret trying to mess with Sutton Asher.

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