Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Clay’s sigh of relief convinces me that I’m making the right decision.
“What program are you using?” He jumps into work mode, and I explain all the problems the dumb computer has been giving me.
Over the next few days, we video chat and Clay helps me fix all our computer issues. Pretty soon, Mabel completely moves out of the apartment and into Thorne’s beautiful home, while Cora and Wilder dance around each other, trying to avoid the inevitable.
Clay and I fall into a comfortable pattern of calls, texts, and video chats, but he doesn’t make any effort to spend time with me in person, which is a little disconcerting. I keep telling myself not to create problems out of nothing.
We talk about nearly everything, and I’m getting to know Clay inside and out. My heart might be falling under the big jerk’s spell, but my stubborn brain refuses to give in without making him work for it.
When Mabel invites me to Clay’s house to watch Thorne make a fool out of himself washing cars in a hot pink and white polka dot bikini, I can’t refuse. I know Clay and I have been keeping things on the down low since our siblings are fighting their own romance issues, but I’m a little ticked off that Clay didn’t invite me himself. “Thank you so much, Momma Bear.” I smile at Clay’s mom as she hands me a glass of iced tea.
“You’re welcome, sweetpea.” The older woman’s chocolate brown eyes fill with kindness.
We’ve been here for the last hour, watching Thorne wash one car after another. There’s a line of black SUVs and trucks stretching all the way down the winding tree-lined driveway. No telling who owns all these vehicles, but I’m betting Wilder and Clay volunteered their oldest brother’s car washing services to every single person in town.
Momma Bear comes out to bring us drinks or snacks from time to time, but she doesn’t stay to watch the show. Papa Bear, the insanely handsome older version of the Bearly brothers, greeted all of us when we arrived and then went down to watch the show from the driveway.
“My boys definitely love to give each other hell.” Momma Bear sighs and places a tray of cookies on the table before her husband calls for her to come and help him. “Men are so helpless. I’ll be right back.” She rolls her eyes and hustles down the deck stairs to talk to Papa Bear.
My own love life might be up in the air, but seeing my soon-to-be brother-in-law acting like a fool does my heart good. “I can’t believe Thorne agreed to wear that.” I reach for another delicious tea cake while reminding myself to get the recipe from Mama Bear.
“I don’t know. I think he looks pretty hot with the pink and white polka dot bikini stretched across his muscular chest.” The googly-eyed expression in Mabel’s eyes causes Cora to make a gagging noise. “You really are head over heels for the bear shifter,” I grumble around my last bite of tea cake.
“I thought we’d already established that.” Mabel shrugs and turns back to watch her mate scrubbing SUVs. Thorne causes the third brawl of the day when he nonchalantly sprays Wilder with cold water.
The two younger Bearly brothers have been making asses of themselves, taking pictures of Thorne in his bikini top and blue jeans. Thorne stops and strikes a pose for the brothers every time they pull out their cameras, which seems to piss them off.
“I’m not going to lie.” Cora blows out her breath. “Wet, muscular men, rolling around on the ground, trying to punch each other’s lights out definitely revs my engine.”
“You’re just happy to see Wilder get his ass kicked.” I sigh and glance over to shoot my oldest sister a silent message. This situation with the Bearly brothers is getting complicated. Fast.
“That’s true, too,” Cora admits. “To watching the Bearly Brothers act like idiots.” She’s not wrong. Cora starts the next war when she stands at the railing and points to the huge black SUV. “I think you missed a spot on the left side.”
The youngest Bearly brother takes offense and storms over, growling, “Fuck no. I can show my brother what he’s missing.” I hold my breath, waiting for the fur to fly. “I don’t need your help, princess.”
Thorne drops the hose and rushes over to step between Cora and his youngest brother before my sister is able to get her hands on Wilder. “Why don’t we go to our separate corners for a little breather?” he growls at Wilder, causing his brother to stomp away while muttering under his breath. “I’m almost done. I’m looking forward to that back rub you promised me.” Thorne’s dark eyes fill with deep emotion as he stares down at Mabel and wiggles his eyebrows. Cora goes into another fake gagging fit, but I see my older sister’s relationship in a different light. I often find Clay staring at me with the same loving look, and I’m tired of waiting for him to make a move. I need to find a way to let my Grouchy Bear know I’m ready to move things along.