Page 183 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

He frowned. “We have a tent?”

“Probably.”

“For what?”

“No idea. Clover’s involved. I’m sure we have something.”

His mouth twitched. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Jax called from beneath the truck, “She’s going to make you wear something.”

Hunter closed his eyes. “Don’t give her any ideas.”

“Matching shirts,” I suggested.

“Fuck both of you.”

“Pumpkin costumes maybe?” Jax snorted.

“I’m leaving.” He made absolutely no attempt to stand.

I laughed and tossed my rag onto the workbench. “Seriously, man. You don’t have to stay all day.”

“I know.”

“Does Clover know you know?”

That got another small smile.

“She wants more for me.” There was something in the way he said it that made the joke die before I made it. Hunter rubbed one hand over his jaw. “She’s not trying to change me. I know that. She just doesn’t want me deciding I hate something before I ever try it.”

“Sounds like Clover.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Careful. That’s my sister.”

“She’s my wife. I outrank you.”

I laughed, and Hunter’s attention returned to the road.

“I’d like more too, I think. I’m just not all that comfortable with it yet.”

That, I understood better than he probably realized. Not because I had any idea what it felt like to live in Hunter’s body or carry what he carried. But because lately I’d been spending a lot of time with another person who seemed to want things she wasn’t entirely comfortable allowing herself to have.

“Then do what you can do,” I said. “If you’ve had enough after an hour, go home.”

Hunter looked at me. “That’s your wisdom?”

“That’s all you’re getting for a free oil change.”

Jax snorted.

Hunter shook his head.

“Seriously. She’s been babied her whole life. If you don’t tell her no occasionally, she’ll run your entire life.”

Hunter’s laughter faded into something softer. He glanced down at his wedding band. “I want her to.”