Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Dex narrowed his gaze. “Raven, behave.”
Samantha blushed but coming from a large family, she understood. “If my brother disappeared with a woman in a wedding dress, I’d be curious too.” Might as well mention the elephant in the room, Samantha thought.
Raven laughed. “I like you. Come on. Let me get you two settled.”
A few minutes later, they had their soft drinks and instead of being alone, Raven had joined them. Then Remy, Dex’s brother, walked out from the back offices. Introductions were made and they started talking about how Raven and Remy went from boss and employee to husband and wife. Samantha enjoyed hearing their story.
“Remy is not just a bar owner, he’s a private investigator,” Dex said, placing his hand over hers. In public.
She shivered at his touch and Raven gave her a knowing look. The type that said, I know you have feelings for my brother-in-law. She wouldn’t be wrong.
“You know, maybe we should have him look into Jeremy,” Dex suggested.
Remy turned toward her. “I’m happy to do it. What do you think?”
She liked that Remy asked her opinion, that he didn’t just jump to do what Dex suggested.
“Samantha?” Dex asked.
She liked more that Dex asked her, too. He didn’t just decide and trample over her choices like Ian might have done in the same situation.
“I appreciate it but I think I’ll let things play out with my lawyer, at least for now.” She didn’t want Tim to feel as though she were undermining him or his work. He had a plan and she’d stick with it.
Remy nodded. “If you need me, I’m here.”
She smiled, liking Dex’s brother. “Thanks again.”
A few minutes later, a dark-haired woman in a flowing skirt walked in and pulled a chair over to the table. “Thanks for letting me know to stop by,” she said to Raven before turning to Samantha. “Hi, I’m Dex’s only sister. Fallon.” She treated Samantha to a smile.
“Hi.”
“What the hell is going on?” Dex asked, glaring at his sister-in-law.
She shrugged and glanced at Remy. “Remy and I thought the rest of the family would like to meet Samantha.”
“Don’t you think a heads-up would be nice?” He glared at them both while Samantha’s cheeks burned.
He turned toward her. “We can leave. I’m sure the last thing you expected on an already stressful day was to be ambushed by my family.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I come from a huge clan, remember? I just don’t want them to think we’re more serious than we really are,” she whispered, finding it hard to meet his gaze.
The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him and as she spoke, the words felt wrong on her tongue. But she refused to put herself in a position where she was in a relationship again so soon.
“It’s all good.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Fallon, what’s up with you?” Dex changed the subject and focused on his sister.
“The store next to the gallery closed and instead of leasing it to someone else, Clara is going to run with my idea to join it with the gallery so we can have classes and parties, along with some wine drinking. I want to call it Paint, Party & Sip.” She clasped her hands together, her excitement obvious. “It’s mostly for adults but I can accommodate older teens, too.”
“That sounds fun,” Samantha said. “I’d love to give it a try.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know when we’re open.” Fallon beamed at the prospect, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
Remy’s phone rang and he answered, talking for a few seconds before hanging up. “Well, Jared and Aiden can’t get away from the office because Dad went home early.”
Dex frowned. “Is he not feeling well?” Beside her, he stiffened and Samantha noticed Fallon reacted similarly.
“Damned if I know. He’s stubborn. Refuses to slow down like the doctors ordered him to do. I think Lizzie is frustrated and concerned.”
Fallon sighed. “I already tried to talk to him. Maybe if one of you did too?”
“I’ve got it,” Dex said. “I’ll take a ride over there in the next day or so.”
Samantha placed a hand on his shoulder. Though she didn’t know what was going on, he was obviously worried and as much as he’d been a support for her, she wanted to do the same in return.
“Let me know how you make out,” Remy said. “Maybe if Raven and I go after you, he’ll get the message.”
The mood lightened up after the talk about their father and another hour passed by the time everyone stood to leave.
After saying goodbye to his family, Dex turned to face her. “How are you getting home?”
“Uber,” she said, opening her bag to search for her phone.
“I’ve got you. My car is parked in the lot.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking a rideshare,” she said, not wanting him to have to go out of his way.