Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(50)

“All right. I don’t know if there are any rooms left at the hotel, but I can call and see,” Hugh said, glancing at me before looking back at my brother.

“You don’t need to get her a room. I’m sure you can get two queen beds in the room you have. You’re probably the only dude on the planet that I’d trust to sleep in a hotel room with my sister.” He barked out a laugh, and I looked up to see Brax watching me with a mischievous grin on his face.

He clearly knew something was up.

“So, you’ll come?” Dylan asked, reaching for my hand.

“Of course. I’d love to see you walk down the aisle.”

Was it terrible that I was hoping there weren’t any rooms available with two beds? I wouldn’t mind sleeping beside Hugh Reynolds one more time.

Clothed or naked.

Well, preferably naked.

Stooooop.

I was doing it again.

“We’re going to have so much fun. It’s going to be the wedding of the century. I’m so excited!” Georgia clapped her hands together.

“I can’t wait,” I said.

My phone vibrated, and I looked down to see a notification from the app where I was selling my car. There was a full-price offer. Relief flooded. I glanced over at my dad, and his gaze locked with mine.

I smiled.

We were going to be okay.

I sent a text back to the phone number and let them know we could meet tomorrow.

“Okay, everyone. Dinner is ready. Let’s head to the table,” Alana called out.

I made a face at Brax, and he held back for a minute while everyone hurried to find a seat.

“So, you’re going to the wedding as the big guy’s plus one, huh?” He waggled his brows, and I tried not to laugh, but it was impossible not to.

“Stop. We’re friends. Listen, I got a text, and someone just made a full-price offer on the car.” I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was listening just as my phone vibrated with a new text. “They want to meet tomorrow morning at nine a.m. He said he’ll bring a cashier’s check.”

“All right. Travis is going to lose his shit that I helped you sell your car, and Casanova over there…” He motioned to Hugh, who was watching us from the table, his gaze narrowed and questioning. “He’s not happy about this. But, I’ll meet you at my office, and we’ll do it together.”

“Don’t worry about them. Thanks, Brax. I’m so happy it sold so quickly.”

“Me, too. But I’m getting daggers from your roommate, so let’s get over there.”

Brax sat between Georgia and Cage, and there was a seat for me between Hugh and my father, with Travis on the other side of Dad.

Alana was asking Travis all about the baby, and Hugh leaned down close to my ear. “What was that about with Brax?”

I looked around to see everyone in their own conversations and kept my voice low. “My car sold. That means my dad is in.”

Butterflies swirled in my belly at the thought.

“Looks like you made it happen, Snow.”

“I’m about to check number one off the list. And you know what comes next.”

His heated gaze locked with mine.

“Number two,” he whispered, as his tongue swiped out to wet his lips.

I just smiled and waggled my brows.

Things were looking up for me.

And I was enjoying every minute.





fifteen





Hugh





I’d gotten to Reynolds’ early because I hadn’t slept much and was on edge. This pull I felt toward Lila was fucking with my head. We’d dropped Lila at the house, and I’d gone out with Brax after Sunday dinner last night to grab a few beers just because I didn’t trust myself to be home with her alone.

I couldn’t stay away.

And now she was coming to Dylan’s wedding?

Spending a weekend with me in the same hotel room?

I’d always prided myself on my ability to stay in control, but this was testing every bit of restraint that I had.

Every. Fucking. Bit.

So, I’d come in late last night after being razzed by Brax about Lila going to the wedding with me, which I’d waved off as ridiculous.

But he knew I was lying.

He was going with her this morning to meet the guy about the car sale. That wasn’t a concern for me for reasons I wasn’t willing to tell either one of them just yet. So, I’d left the house while she was out on a run because not seeing her was the only way I could try to figure this shit out.

I was behind the bar, going through some of the deliveries I hadn’t unloaded this weekend, when the door swung open. Travis walked in, carrying two cups of coffee from Cottonwood Café. Even though it was owned by an overaged, sexually inappropriate woman, they made damn good coffee.

“Thought you might need this. I heard you and Brax were out late last night,” he said, handing me the cup of coffee.

“Does that dude go five minutes without oversharing?” I laughed as I took a long pull and groaned.

He barked out a laugh as he slipped onto the bar stool across from me and set his cup down. “He didn’t tell me. I called Lila last night, and she said you were out with Brax.”

“Well, it’s good to know the town gossip wasn’t the one who told you.” I shrugged.