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“I saw their new baby this morning. He was cute.”
Mom grinned. “I bet he was. I can’t wait until you boys have more kids.”
I decided not to touch that comment and ate the last of the muffin in one large bite.
“What is Marley planning on doing with the inn?” Mom asked as she poured orange juice into a glass for me.
“Her realtor wants her to freshen it up for sale. Just some paint, refinished floors, and new windows. That kind of thing.”
Mom raised a brow. “And you’re the one who’ll be doing the work?”
“That’s what Nolan said.” I didn’t want to tell her that Marley insisted on it, or that it was what I wanted, too. Mom didn’t know about my relationship with Marley when we were teens, and I wanted to keep it that way. She tended to meddle in everyone’s business, and she wanted to see her boys settled. She’d already gotten her wish with Emmett and Knox; I didn’t want to be the next one on her matchmaking list.
“How’s she doing?” Mom asked, her tone softer.
Mom was concerned about Marley growing up. We were aware that her parents were less than ideal. “I’m worried about her. She has to go through Lila’s things in the next few days.”
“We should help her.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I wasn’t sure if we should offer to help or if it’s better to let her handle it alone.”
“I think we should go over there and tell her we’re going to help. That’s what neighbors do.”
“You want me to round up the troops? I think she wanted to get started today.” I hated that I’d had to leave her this morning, but I had to work.
Mom nodded. “We’ll go over there tonight.”
“You got it.” I pulled out my phone and messaged our group text chain. When someone needed our help, everyone showed up.
After receiving responses from Knox and Emmett, I tucked my phone away. Talon rarely checked his phone and almost never responded to the group chat. I was suspicious he’d deleted it or turned off the notifications. No one expected Sebastian to come from town with his little girl, Ember. I hoped that would change when he moved to the farm.
“Is there anything going on between you and Marley?”
I frowned. “Why would you think that? She’s only been in town for a short time. I saw her the first time you did.”
“There was a lot of tension between you two the other night.”
“You’re wrong.” I hated lying to her, but at the same time, no one could know about us. I couldn’t chance it getting back to Aiden.
“Nothing happened between you two when you were kids?” Mom asked.
“We played together a few times in the woods. We all hung out.” I shrugged. “It was nothing. I’d never mess with Aiden’s little sister.”
Mom raised a brow.
“You know what I mean. He asked me to look after her. I wouldn’t have made a move.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. I was young and reckless and thinking with my dick. But at some point, my heart got involved, too.
“If you like someone, it doesn’t matter who they’re related to. You can’t help how you feel.”
“It’s a good thing that she’s just an old friend, then.” I grabbed a second muffin and stuffed it into my mouth so I wouldn’t have to talk.
My phone buzzed. “Emmett can help. Knox is hoping to meet us there. He’s helping Addy with her homework.” Ever since Christmas, Sarah and her daughter, Addy, had practically moved in with him. I think it was their new puppy, Comet, that was the draw, but Knox insisted it was him.
The door opened, and Emmett and Ireland walked in. Ireland kissed my mom on the cheek and squeezed my arm.
She was the perfect addition to the family, and we loved her because she drew Emmett out of his perpetually grumpy state. It was a fact that we’d made more business decisions since they started dating. He resisted change, but Ireland helped him go with the flow and consider new ideas.
“We’re helping Marley pack up Lila’s things?” Emmett asked.
