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“I was an only child, so I always wanted a brother or sister.Instead I have a slew of pseudo-cousins thanks to the Babes.”
“Ah, yeah.Georgia told me the story on how the name came about.”
“It’s great, isn’t it?I mean, I can’t imagine growing up any other way now.It was nice always having friends and playmates and a built-in family.”
“It sounds like a fun way to grow up.”Bryson stood and his chair scraped back on the floor.“It’s getting late.I should call it a night.I’ll help you clean up and go get that order placed for the supplies to fix your roof.”
“No,I’llclean up while you go do that.I insist.”
She downed her last of her wine and got to her feet while he scooted in his chair.“If you insist.I’ll get out of here so you can call your husband to give him an update on the roof,” he said deliberately, watching her.She’d carried her plate and glass to the sink but froze at the comment before slowly turning, her expression turning guarded.“Did I say something wrong?”he asked.
“It’s just… Are you going to have a problem working for me?Because my…my husband isn’t going to be the one overseeing the repairs on the house.I am.”
Her ex.Her husband.He supposed she could have both.Did she?
He’d been trying to get a bead on Hadley since her arrival.Something seemed off.First showing up for Georgia’s funeral alone, now the varied references.“I don’t have a problem working for you,” he said simply.“You mentioned your ex earlier…but you’re wearing rings, so I assumed you’d remarried.”
“Ohhh,” she said, her tense shoulders slumping a bit.“Nope.I didn’t realize I’d slipped.I haven’t remarried.It’s just me.”
“I’m not following.”
She lifted her left hand and stared down at the rock that flashed in the light from the ceiling.
“My parents don’t know I’m divorced.This,” she said, wiggling her fingers, “is a lie.I told Mary Elizabeth today.Now you.You’re one of”—she counted off on her fingers—“nine people who now know.”
He refused to acknowledge the surge of relief he felt at the news.“I see.”
“It’s not a secret except…it is.I mean, I want to tell them.I’m going to.I just don’t know how.Especially now that it’s been so long.”
“It’ll happen when the time is right.Until then, your secret is safe with me.”
“Mmm.My dirty little secret,” she said so softly he barely heard her.
Bryson found himself moving toward her.He set his plate beside the sink and noted that she didn’t move away from him, even though her shoulder brushed his chest.“We all have them, Hadley.”
Her gaze met his and she turned toward him, face lifted.
“If that’s true…what’s yours?”
