Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“You think Cole would like to take Teresa out while he’s here?” Bel asked.
He whipped his head around to gape at his mother. “No way, Mom. No way are you going to try and set those two up. Cole deserves better than some woman who can’t take no for an answer.”
“Aw, she’s lonely out on that ranch. Might do her some good to go out with a gentleman like Cole.”
“No. No way. Just let that idea go right now.” He snatched a knife out of the drawer for the pie and took it and the plates outside, holding the door open for his mother, who carried a plate of spaghetti and a wineglass.
The thought of Cole going out with Teresa made his blood boil, and he was pretty sure it had nothing to do with Teresa at all. He knew his mother was right. Teresa probably was pretty lonely. He knew she had friends in town, but she also took care of the house and some of the animals on their ranch. It was unlikely she got into town all that much.
Though she sure showed up here a lot.
She was busy talking to Cole when he returned to the table. When she didn’t even thank his mother for the plate of food, he ground his teeth until his jaw ached. Yes, it was sweet that she’d brought them a pie, but he knew the gesture for what it was. An excuse to come see him. She’d been after him since they were in high school and had never once tried to hide it.
Cole chatted politely with her, telling her about his computer work, and JB listened with half an ear. He tore a bite of garlic bread and worked it with his sore jaw.
“You know, Cole, I bet Teresa would love to show you a night on the town while you’re here.” Bel shot a not-so-subtle glance at JB.
He ground his teeth harder, shot his mother a narrow look, then felt contrite when she narrowed her eyes back. Part of him knew he should keep his mouth shut. If Cole was straight, he had every right to go find himself a nice girl. Sadly, it wasn’t the idea that Teresa was terrible for Cole forcing the words out of JB’s mouth. It was something more selfish and possessive. “I plan to keep Cole pretty busy,” was all he said.
Katie huffed out a laugh. “I bet you do,” she murmured, biting her lip in a grin. Even Carlyle choked out a laugh, but he wisely kept his eyes on his plate. This was the last dinner he was bringing Cole to with the rest of his family.
“But—” his mother started.
“I’ll take Cole out myself while he’s here. Which isn’t going to be that long, so there’s no reason for him to bother Teresa.”
“It wouldn’t be a bother at all.” Confusion laced Teresa’s voice. The poor woman’s wide eyes darted from one person to the next. It was clear that there was something else going on at the table and she was left on the outside.
“As nice as that sounds,” Cole interrupted, his gaze swinging from one person to the next at the table. There was a small smirk on his lips as if he knew exactly what the hell was going on, leaving JB wanting to crawl under the table all over again for an entirely different reason. “JB’s right. I brought a lot of work with me. I’m afraid I’ll be too busy to go out.”
“That’s a shame.” Teresa pouted. “What kind of fun vacation is that? You sound like you want to keep him to yourself, JB.” Teresa looked from Cole to JB and then her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh,” she said softly.
Yup. The pieces clicked into place. Not that they actually belonged together, but JB’s family was happy to try to force them. Of course, JB wasn’t much better as he tried to keep Cole all to himself. Fuck. Maybe he should have let Teresa take him out. Maybe they would be a good match. Teresa needed someone to take care of her, and Cole liked to help people. The idea didn’t exactly sit right with him, but it wasn’t his place to say anything.
Cole threw him a look but remained silent.
JB had never hidden his bisexuality and didn’t plan to start. Teresa, with her wrinkled nose and backhanded remarks, had made it clear she had issues with it. She was of the school of thought that he’d simply not had the right woman take him in hand. The right woman being her.
Nope. Not a chance in hell.
He’d never taken her out in all the years he’d known her, but that didn’t deter her. He didn’t know what he needed to do to prove to her he wasn’t interested. Getting married might put an end to it all, but he was afraid that was too subtle for her.