Page 29 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

“Well, that’s a shame,” a crisp British voice cut in, smooth as champagne and twice as tart. “Because flings are only fun when everyone involved knows precisely what they’re buying—and what it’ll cost them later.”

They all turned as the woman glided into the room. Elegant posture, silver hair swept into a neat knot, and all-knowing eyes that appeared to have seen everything life had to offer and had partaken in every minute.

“I spent my twenties mistaking expensive dinners for affection,” she went on cheerfully. “Perfectly thrilling. Utterly unsustainable. If you’re going to keep it casual, darling, do so with eyes wide open and your own wallet firmly in hand.”

“I like her.” Sutton laughed. “I’m Sutton.”

“Lady Rea,” she said, offering a hand. “I’m a former gold digger turned reformed romantic, and a current professional meddler.”

Sutton shook her hand. “Sounds … effective.”

“Oh, it is. Especially with my grandsons.” Rea settled into a chair, smile gleaming. “Eli, for instance, is entirely unavailable. Brilliant boy. Kind, sharp, and utterly married to his job.”

Jo went very still, exuding the kind of quiet that wasn’t natural so much as carefully constructed. Her eyes flickered to the floor and, if Sutton wasn’t so confident that Jo didn’t get flustered, she could have sworn the woman looked ready to burn rubber out of the kitchen.

Interesting, Sutton thought, filing that away. She'd have to poke at that pin sometime when Jo wasn't holding a knife.

“And Colter,” Rea continued, unbothered. Although Sutton was bothered—hot and bothered at the mere sound of his name.

This is going to be a problem.

“He’s only looking for a tumble between the sheets right now,” Rea said. “Which is perfectly acceptable, so long as everyone remembers that even the most enjoyable arrangements come with an expiration date.”

Add "expiration date" to the growing pile of things Sutton was not going to think about for the rest of the afternoon. Right underneath "the child currently promising a piñata Sutton can’t afford. ""

Jo cleared her throat. “Sounds about right.”

Rea sighed, dramatic and fond all at once. “If only my other grandsons would follow Boone’s example. Date quality women, make sensible choices, stop treating commitment like a contagious disease.” Her gaze flicked between the three ladies. “One can only meddle so much before resorting to bribery.”

Sutton smiled, already certain of two things: Lady Rea knew exactly what she was doing, and heaven help any man who underestimated her.

Vivi perked up immediately. “If either of you is in the market for a single man, I’m your girl. Give me five minutes and I’ll write a dating bio so good it’ll bring all the boys to the yard.”

“Pass,” Jo said as if that were the end of that.

Then all eyes turned to Sutton. Especially Rea’s, whose mischief smile was full of plotting.

“I’m more of a meet-in-real-life kind of person.” That line coming in as lie number three. Because even IRL, she’d meet a man and run in the opposite direction.

Rea grinned. “Perfect, because the yard is currently full of single, ready-to-mingle men.”

The others drifted toward the back door in a wave of noise and motion, and for just a moment it was only Sutton and Rea left in the kitchen.

Rea didn't move to follow, instead filling her glass with the unhurried ease of a woman who had never once been swept along by a room.

"You're not here for a man," she said pleasantly, not looking up.

Sutton went still. "Sorry?"

"The others come to these things hoping." Rea set the bottle down and looked directly at Sutton. "You came here for a reason. Something you're trying to figure out. I recognize the look because I wore it myself once, a very long time ago, at a county fair right here in Bridlewood." The corner of her mouth lifted. "Took me three days to admit what I was actually looking for."

Sutton had absolutely no idea what to say to that.

"Take your time, darling," Rea said, moving past her toward the door with the serenity of someone who already knew how things would resolve. "But not too much. The good ones don't stay confused forever."

Then she was gone, and the kitchen felt considerably smaller without her in it.

Vivi hooked an arm through Sutton’s. “Let’s go meet them.”