The Wrong Mr. Right (The Queen's Cove Series #2)(72)

I nodded and held up my glass. “I did and now I’m getting drunk.”

“She’s not getting drunk,” Wyatt said too loud, and everyone burst into laughter but him.

My arm snaked around his waist and I jostled him. “You’re too easy.”

He looked down at me with a strained expression before his arm came around my shoulders and a hint of a smile passed over his mouth. “You’re taking years off my life here, bookworm.”

Avery watched us over the rim of her wine glass with interest.

We headed to the table out on the patio and took our seats while Sam brought over the plate of burgers. Wyatt sat to my left and Avery to my right. Across the table, Emmett whispered something to Holden and the corner of Holden’s mouth lifted. I caught the warning death glare from Elizabeth and they dropped it.

“How was the Emily Carr exhibit?” Holden asked, passing me the bowl of salad.

I nodded with enthusiasm. “Amazing. The paintings were beautiful and so different in person.” I shot him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry you missed it. I think there’s another one next month you could catch by another local artist.”

Elizabeth perked up and nodded at me. “I’d love to go to that with you. We could go for lunch after.”

A funny, happy tightness prickled in my chest. “It’s a date.”

“Good.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Emmett, honey, you’re holding up the salad.”

Avery glanced between Elizabeth and I with a small, knowing smile on her face.

Wyatt leaned over and his breath brushed my ear. “Do you need another Advil? Your head feel okay?”

“I’m good,” I whispered back with a small smile. “Thank you.”

He glanced at the bandage on my forehead with a wince before his gaze met mine.

“I’m fine,” I repeated.

He nodded and pressed a quick kiss to my temple before tucking back into his food. His mouth against my skin was comfortable, easy and normal.

Wait. Wyatt had kissed my temple in front of his entire family.

My gaze widened and I glanced around the table but no one had seemed to notice. Everyone was pointedly not looking at us. Holden stared at his plate. Emmett was very interested in the label of his beer. Sam studied something on the fence. Avery and Elizabeth’s gazes locked on each other.

Huh.

Sam asked Holden about his latest construction project and they began discussing town permits. Emmett jumped in to explain all the bureaucracy he was eliminating from town hall. Wyatt’s hand settled on my knee. When I glanced up at him with curiosity, he winked at me.

That wink shot right down to between my legs.

“When do you pick up your rings?” Emmett asked Avery.

She inspected her bare hand. “I’ll drop by tomorrow and see if they’re finished cleaning them.”

He made an unhappy noise. “Good.” His eyes lit up. “We should renew our vows. I should get you another ring.”

She laughed. “What?”

Emmett nodded. “As a backup. I don’t like seeing your hand without a ring.”

Holden threw his fork down on his plate. “We get it, Emmett, you’re happily married.” Disdain dripped from his tone. “Good for you.”

The table went silent and everyone gave Holden a strange look.

“Holden,” Elizabeth chided. “Stop being so dramatic.”

When we finished eating, the boys stood to clear the plates. I began to stand and Wyatt put a hand on my shoulder to keep me seated.

“We got it,” he told me.

“But…” I started but he walked away with a handful of dishes.

Avery shook her head at me across the table. “Don’t bother.”

Elizabeth poured another glass of wine with a thoughtful expression. “I’m still learning about the patriarchy, but my takeaway is, we’re dismantling it by not doing the dishes.” She held the bottle out to Avery. “Top up?”

Avery nodded eagerly. “Yes, please. I’m not working tomorrow.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at me with a glimmer in her eyes. “No more for you, my dear, or my previously laid-back son will have my head.” She wiggled her eyebrows with delight, like she couldn’t imagine anything she wanted more.

I swallowed and a blush creeped over my face. Was it my imagination or was Elizabeth enjoying Wyatt’s weird display of protectiveness?

“What are you reading these days, honey?” Elizabeth asked me and the endearment made my heart twist.

I began telling her about the historical romance I was reading, how it was so funny and inspiring and silly and the love interest made me swoon. She took down the title and I made a mental note to bring her my copy in case she wanted to read it.

The men returned to the table with plates of key lime pie, and Wyatt settled into his chair beside me before his arm came up around my shoulder. My skin prickled with awareness but I didn’t dare move. I noticed a couple glances our way but perhaps Elizabeth’s words in the kitchen had made their mark on everyone because no one said a thing.

If you ruin my chance for another daughter-in-law, she had said.

Daughter-in-law.

I nearly laughed at the idea of Wyatt and I married. Married was the exact opposite of what he wanted. Wyatt was all about impermanence and no tether.