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“You know,” I began as I turned like she asked, “most brides get carried around by their spouses.”

“May’s busy.”

“With what?”

“Being hot somewhere.” She took a long drink from her bottle. “My wife is so fucking hot. Don’t you think my wife is hot?”

“Objectively, your wife is very attractive,” I told her. “And nope, I’m not attracted to her.”

“Good boy,” she replied, patting me on the head. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I hoped Rhodes hadn’t told her about that part of me. “Besides, you’re built like a football player, and she’s not.”

“I’m a running back!” I exclaimed.

“Mhmm.” Her head bumped mine as she nodded. “I have no idea what that means. I just watch your games to make fun of Rho later.”

I laughed and adjusted my grip under her thighs, which was harder than it looked, considering the sheer number of layers there were to her skirt. She was slightly unsteady and definitely drunk enough to have lost whatever filter she normally possessed.

“Also,” Sariah continued, “you and I need to talk.”

“Oh,” I let out softly. That worried me a little, but I expected it. To be honest, I’d been expecting it sooner. “About Rhodes?”

“About Rhodes,” she confirmed. “I love him.”

“I know,” I replied.

“No, no. I like, really love him.” She drew out the really far longer than necessary, but I didn’t interrupt her. “That man is my person, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for that man—including killing for him. Even if the person I’m killing is a very cute Road Runner.”

“Oh.” Oh, we were just going right into that.

“I would be the most successful Wiley E. Coyote in existence and catch myself a Road Runner,” she continued. My lips pressed together tightly as I nodded. After far too many hours watching old cartoons, I understood that reference. Her arm gave me a little squeeze. “I like you, Theo, but I love that man.”

“I know.”

“That man is the best man you will ever know,” Sariah said, resting her chin on my head. “And he cares about you, which means he’ll absolutely hurt himself if you benefit from it. And he’ll do it because that’s who he is, so I need you to know that I’ll kill you if you hurt him.”

“I won’t hurt him,” I promised. That was the last thing I wanted.

“My gut says you won’t,” she replied. “But you’re in, in with him. I can see it in the way he looks at you. That man is all in, and that means he’ll take a lot from you, so it’s my job to protect him.”

As threatening as all of that was, it was oddly reassuring—to know that she could see all of that. Because for as all in as I was, a small part of me worried. What if he changed his mind? What if he regretted his choice?

But Sariah had known him for fourteen years. She knew him as well as I could hope to know him one day. If she could look at us and see a man who was all in, then maybe I could finally stop worrying about it.

And weirdly, I liked knowing someone was willing to threaten me on his behalf, even though I had no doubt she’d do it. Rhodes deserved people like that in his corner.

“I can respect that,” I said.

“Good.” She kissed the top of my head, taking me by surprise. “And just know, I’m a damn good shot. You’ll never see me coming.”

I burst out laughing at the very matter-of-fact way she said it. I rounded a corner on the back deck and paused when I saw Rhodes. He leaned over the rail, phone pressed to his ear, and pinched the bridge of his nose. The look on his face was far more exasperation than upset, which instantly piqued my curiosity.

Sariah patted me twice on the chest before squirming to slide off my back. I released her legs and turned fast to make sure she didn’t fall over. She tipped, and I grabbed her by the shoulders, but she just swatted me away as she laughed.

“Go make smoochy face with your boy!” she practically ordered as she waved in Rhodes’ direction. I waited just long enough to make sure she was okay before moving closer to Rhodes. I gave him the space he needed to finish up the call, busying myself with watching the water until he pocketed his phone and wandered my way.

“Your mom?” I asked when he was close enough.

“Jude,” Rhodes said. He made himself comfortable beside me. “Apparently, he broke into my garage—looking for who fucking knows what—and found my wood-burning kit. After almost losing a finger from messing with it, he wanted to know if I had any wood he could use.”