The Rebound
Page 40
Her face pinches. “You want to talk about ego?”
“Here we go,” Rhett mumbles under his breath. “Ayla, you want to head in? Let these two overachievers duke it out over who’s packing the biggest ego?”
“Gladly.” I rise, following my husband. “Night, guys.”
They ignore us, going at it and talking over one another, making digs and throwing lexicon punches.
We head inside to the family room, cuddling on the sofa, and I spin my gold wedding band around my ring finger. The date we met is inscribed on the inside, exactly the way it was in my book. He smells like fabric softener and cologne and I slip my hand inside his, draping his arm around me. I let him have the remote because I’m not in the mood to watch TV tonight. I just want to watch him.
Tomorrow the five of us are spending the day in downtown Philly and Sunday, after they leave, we’re heading to New Jersey, where Bryce is buried because it happens to be his birthday.
He would’ve been twenty-nine.
Rhett’s been working on forgiving Bryce over the last year, and he’s making progress. I’ve gotten him to open up a few times, telling me so many stories about my brother that I almost feel like I knew him.
One of these days, he says, he’ll tell me everything I need to know. Until then, he asks for my patience and understanding.
He doesn’t mention Damiana at all really, though her mother and father came to visit shortly after our wedding. I think he has forgiven her in his own silent way. Her parents are good people. Kind and compassionate. They wanted to meet me, and they seemed happy for him.
The sliding back door pulls open. Bostyn trudges in, talking a million miles a minute, followed by Locke, who is clearly defending himself over something.
“Guys, guys,” I say, sitting up. “How about we just relax?”
“You never should’ve brought it up,” Rhett says, nudging me.
“I couldn’t help myself. When you see something, you say something,” I defend myself.
“I don’t think that applies to this.” He chuckles.
Bostyn plops into one of the armchairs by the fireplace and Locke takes the one beside her for lack of seating options.
“The only way in hell I would ever consider going on so much as a coffee date with you is if you’d delete all those dating apps on your phone,” she says to him.
“Never.”
Her jaw falls. “I don’t date guys who are dating multiple other women.”
“I don’t have the apps on my phone because I use them,” he says. “I invented them. They’re like little trophies. And I check them from time to time when the people who bought them have questions about the code or want me to test glitches and stuff.”
Bostyn’s quiet, studying him.
“So you ... you actually want to take me on a date?” she presses a finger into her chest, brows lifted and forehead lined.
“Yeah,” Locke says. “I do.”
“But ... why?” she asks.
We all laugh.
“Because I think you’re pretty. And you’re smart. And Joa clearly approves,” he says. “And I also really want my sister-in-law to stop bringing it up every time you come around.”
Rhett elbows me, but I ignore it. I’m glued to these two. Mark my words, they’re going to be hitched in the next two years. I’d bet my next book on it.
“I’ll think about it,” Bostyn says.
I exhale, slamming my palm against my forehead and shaking my head. “For the love of God, Bostyn, just go on a date with him.”
She rises, and I spot a hint of a smirk on her mouth that goes unnoticed by the guys. When her gaze passes over mine, I catch a wicked little glint.
Ohhhh.
It’s crystal clear what she’s doing.
“I said I’ll think about it,” she says to me, giving me a wink as she heads to the next room.
I know exactly what’s going on: she does like him, and now she’s going to give him the chase of a lifetime.
Let the games begin.
——
Dear Reader,
I sincerely hope you enjoyed COLD HEARTED! As a special thank you, I’ve written a novella called LOCKE HEARTED, which I have included in this book … simply page ahead to begin reading!
Also, for a *limited time* I’ve included a copy of my book, PRICELESS because from February 4-7, 2017, HEARTLESS, the first book in that series, is free! That’s a combined savings of almost $8!!
xoxo—
Winter
PS - I’ve included a small preview of DARK PROMISES just past Priceless. For easy navigation, use your table of contents to take you there. Once there, please be sure to tap the center of your page to ensure you’re out of page flip mode.
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Coming Soon – Ps I Hate You
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Dear Isaiah,
Eight months ago, you were just a soldier about to leave for his third deployment and I was just a waitress, sneaking you free pancakes and hoping you wouldn’t notice that my gaze was lingering a little too long.
But you did notice.
And then you asked me to spend a “week of Saturdays” with you before you left.
We said goodbye on day eight, exchanging addresses, and I saved every letter you wrote me, your words quickly becoming my religion.
But you went radio silent on me months ago, and then you had the audacity to walk into my diner yesterday and act like you’d never seen me in your life.
To think … I almost loved you and your beautifully complicated soul. Almost.
I hope it was a good one—whatever your reason was.
Maritza the Waitress
PS – I hate you, and this time … I mean it.
Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible if it weren’t for the help of the following amazing individuals. In no particular order …
Louisa, the cover is perfection. Thank you, thank you.
Ashley, thank you for beta’ing as always. I couldn’t do this without you, and I love your brutal honesty to the moon and back.
K, C, and M—hoes for life!
Wendy, thank you for being so flexible! You’re a dream to work with, as always.
Neda, Rachel, and Liz, thank you for ALL the behind-the-scenes stuff you do. Your service is invaluable and you are a joy to work with!
Last, but not least, thank you to all the readers and book bloggers, whether you’re a longtime loyalist or reading me for the first time. It’s because of you that I get to live my dream, and I’m forever grateful for that.
Books by Winter Renshaw
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The Never Series
Never Kiss a Stranger (free!)
Never Is a Promise
Never Say Never
Bitter Rivals Claim Your FREE Copy!
The Arrogant Series
Arrogant Bastard (free!)
Arrogant Master
Arrogant Playboy
Rixton Falls
Royal
Bachelor
Filthy
Priceless (an Amato Brothers crossover)
Amato Brothers
Heartless
Reckless
Priceless
The Montgomery Brothers Duet
Dark Paradise
Dark Promises
Standalones
Vegas Baby
Cold Hearted
The Perfect Illusion
Country Nights
Absinthe
About the Author
Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra-portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American Dre
am with her husband, three kids, the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi, and a busy pug pup that officially owers her three pairs of shoes, one lamp cord, and an office chair (don’t ask).
Winter is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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