Page 66 of Found in Wild Sage

“Thanks for coming by, you two.” Cole Palmer grins down at us, having materialized out of absolutely nowhere.

“Cole. Good to see you. This place is great.” I rise and offer him a hand, which he takes.

Evie starts to rise, but he waves her off. “Please, don’t trouble yourself. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Just haven’t seen this guy in years.” He pats my shoulder.

I suppose I have known him most of my life. He’s a few years older, but it’s a small town, after all.

“This is Evie, my—my wife.” My eyes meet hers and she smiles. Hopefully, she doesn’t see the slight tinge of a blush at my cheeks.

Cole’s eyes slide to Evie and he bows to her. “Lovely to meet you, and congratulations.”

“The food is wonderful. I’ll be telling everyone about it!” Evie grins at him and he returns the smile because it’s impossible not to smile when she does. It’s catching.

Doesn’t mean I love this guy smiling at my wife.

“Thank you. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing, and you can’t make it up.” He knocks on the table twice, then smiles once more. “Tell the family hello. And tell Eirinn I’d love to see her in here sometime.”

My gaze narrows, but he’s already moving on to the next table. There’s something about the sparkle in his eye or that ridiculous smile of his that makes his words settle on me oddly.

“Eirinn? Did they used to date?” Evie’s gaze follows Cole with curiosity.

“She and Davis have been together as long as I remember, but maybe they did in high school or something? I’m not sure. He left for culinary school around the time she and Davis headed for college.” The whole thing was a bit forward for my taste, though I can’t say why. He only said he’d want to see her. It could’ve simply been that they were old friends.

“Kind of bold of him, but maybe I’m being a little prim. Maybe it was friendly.” She shifts her focus back to the food in front of her. “But the man can cook.”

“That he can.” It may or may not sound a touch begrudging.

Her eyes snap to mine and her lips press together. “Fortunately, I married a guy who’s a great cook, too.”

A pent-up laugh escapes me—clearly, I’m caught. “I was sounding a little jealous. Forgive me.”

Her feet slide over to mine and press in on both sides in the oddest, most endearing form of reassurance I’ve ever experienced. “Trust me, Dr. Ryan. You’ve got zero competition from him.”

A flame ignites in my chest. “No?”

Her bright eyes hold mine as she slowly shakes her head. “Not even a little bit.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Evie

One would think after enduring years of a jealous, abusive ex that a show of possessiveness would be a complete red flag for me.

There’s not really a “but” here. It’s simple because Declan isn’t possessive of me, but he is protective. Deeply. I’ve known that since he suggested we marry, and even though I suspect most of it comes from his desire to protect Charlie, I’ll take it. I don’t mind someone looking out for me and my kid, especially when they are demonstrably a good human being.

But there was a teeny tiny touch of jealousy there, and I’ve got to be honest. I didn’t hate it. It didn’t make me shrivel up and feel guilty or like I smiled too wide at the very handsome Cole Palmer, nor did it make me feel slimy. Those were all things that happened when Trevor would lose his mind if he imagined I talked to someone who wasn’t a female over age eighty. He saw everyone as competition, and that’s why I never let him in on the fact that I was Jack McKean’s maid. He would’ve actually lost his mind.

He also would’ve tried to meet Jack and see what he could get out of him because that’s the kind of swell fellow I got wrapped up in when I was too young to know better, and who I felt trapped with when I was too isolated and dependent to escape.

I suck in a slow breath and center myself in the here and now. I’m sitting at a beautiful restaurant across from a gorgeous man I’m married to, and I’m genuinely happy to be here.

It wells up in me, and before tears spill over, my words do.

“Thank you for bringing me here. For letting us have a moment to breathe and just enjoy.”

In truth, enjoy each other is what I would’ve liked to say, but that feels like too much.

He nods and finishes the bite he’s chewing, then wipes his mouth like the well-mannered gentleman he is before speaking. “I told you I’d always tell you the truth, didn’t I?”