“Mon Dieu!” Brighton suddenly exclaims, grabbing my left hand and lifting it high. “Look at that rock!”
The girls pull me toward the sofa, asking a million questions at once. Since we’ve been back in Denver, Ryder and I have been coy and not officially announced anything about our relationship status. But now it looks like the cat’s out of the bag.
“Congratulations!” They all squeal.
I glance over at Ryder, giving a little shrug and grinning. “Guess they figured it out.”
“Might have something to do with that purple diamond on your finger,” he comments and saunters over. “Or maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t stopped smiling since you said yes. Again.”
“Again?” Brighton echoes. “Do tell.”
Before I can share the story about how I actually said yes two months ago, Addie’s phone rings. She glances down as it vibrates on the coffee table, frowning.
“Go ahead and answer,” I say. From the look on her face, it definitely seems like it’s a call she wants to take.
But she hesitates. “It’s Laurent.” She glances up at Cole, who walks over.
“Why would Laurent be calling you?” Cole asks.
“The better question is when did that sneaky bastard program his number into my phone?” She rolls her eyes.
“Want me to answer?” He crosses his arms with a scowl.
“Thank you, my surly detective.” She bats her lashes at him. “But why don’t we all see what he wants?”
Grabbing the phone, she swipes the bar over and puts it on speaker as everyone gathers around. “Hello, Laurent,” she answers with a weary sigh. “This better be good because I’m busy.”
A scuffling sound fills the line, followed by a low groan and a grunt of pain.
“Laurent?” Addie sits up straighter, and we all exchange curious looks. “Hello?”
“Hey… Tootsie Pop.” The Frenchman’s normally playful, easygoing voice sounds strained. “I’m in… a bit of trouble.”
“And you calledme?”
“You owe me. Remember?”
“What do you need, Laurent?” Cole asks, cutting straight to the chase. “We’re not in the mood for games, so just tell us.”
Laurent lets out a chuckle which turns into a pained gasp, followed by a cough and low curse. “Well, for starters, it appears I’ve been slightly injured.”
Injured.We wait for further details, but he doesn’t elaborate.
“What happened? Where are you?” Addie asks.
“Coronado Island,” he grunts.
“We’re over a thousand miles away,” Cole states dryly. “What can we possibly do?”
“I need a place to lay low. Just for a bit.”
“My brother’s in San Diego,” Addie murmurs thoughtfully. She taps a finger against her lips, then she hands the phone to Cole. “Here, talk to him.”
“Do I have to?” Cole asks flatly, and she wrinkles her nose at him while deftly plucking his phone from his pocket. Seeing her sleight of hand up close and personal is a treat. Addie is highly-talented. “Hang on, Laurent,” Cole dutifully mutters, “Addie is calling her brother.”
“No rush,” Laurent responds. “I’m just probably dying.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” Cole sighs. “So, are you going to tell us what happened or what?”
