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“Hey guys.” Meredith pokes her head into the kitchen. “Levi’s making me dinner. I’ve got to run.”
Ugh.Levi. I curl my lip—just a little. While Owen is my best friend and Meredith is my new friend, I do not care for Levi Bailey. Sure, Owen didn’t have a choice in the matter—they’rebrothers. But I honestly don’t know what sweet Meredith sees in the man.
He’s a grouch, and he’s never once been polite to me.
I sober my expression and give Meredith a wave.
Coco wraps one arm around my back and gives me a hug goodbye. She does the same with her brother. My arm is still around him too. I drop it with Coco’s embrace. “Call me later,” she says to Owen, her irises bouncing once in my direction.
He gives her a small nod.
Owen is a catch: he’s slim and broad and buff. His blond, naturally highlighted hair always looks a little like he’s just left the beach. His smile could possibly win awards. He’s easy to hug. And he’s easy to love.
Ang from Post Falls doesn’t stand a chance. She is about to fall fast and hard for one of the best.
You’re welcome, Ang.
The minute Coco and Meredith are gone, I sit on Owen’s couch and pat the space next to me. Owen sits so that his side brushes mine, and I loop my arm through his. “So, what do you think?”
“About?” he says, his fingers stroking the tips of mine.
“Ang,” I say, nodding to the print I set on his coffee table. “Will you go?”
He blinks down at me. “I said I’d go.”
“Yeah, but are youexcited? You don’t seem that excited and…” I peer at her photo again. “She’s hot. I picked a good one for you.” He has to be excited, to want this. I can’t be the most selfish person in the world. Not when it comes to Owen.
“Is it going to help you?” he says—and maybe on his list of qualities, I should add mind-reader.
“Yes, but O. I want this to help you too.”
“You know me, I’m not really looking for someone.”
I bite my bottom lip, my eyes still on Ang’s face. “I know.”
“But this is going to help the column.” It’s a statement, not aquestion. “And you—your confidence. You’re good at your job, Annie. If this will help remind you of that, I’m in.”
I close my hand over his bicep and tuck my feet up under me. Peeking up at Owen, I give him honesty. I owe him that. “I think it will. But can’t it help me and you at the same time?”
“I’m willing to go,” he says, peering down at me. “I’m willing to try. As long as it helps you.”
“K
ayla,” I say, repeating my sister’s name for the third time. I’m starting to feel like one of her children.
At least she offers me a glance this time. Still, her nose is buried in her son’s top dresser drawer. She pulls out a blue-and-white flannel shirt that has a blob-shaped stain on the front.
“Ka—”
“I see it, Annie. This is the woman you’re setting Owen up with. Got it.”
“Yes, but what do you think?”
She shifts to the bed, laying out the stained flannel shirt. “Buck!” she hollers, and the chatter and play of my nephews from the front room ceases.
“Isn’t she pretty?” I say, holding up the copy paper with Ang’s information on it.
“I don’t know. I guess.”
