Page 73 of Hideaway Heart

He nodded. “I’m taking Granny to lunch on Tuesday. By dinnertime, I’ll have it all wrapped up.”

“Bamboozling little old Granny,” I said. “Nice.”

“I’m not bamboozling her, Xander. I’m trying to give her millions of dollars for something that’s not worth half that.”

“Maybe don’t say it exactly that way,” Austin suggested.

“Iknowhow to say it. Talking people into things is my gift.” Devlin spoke as if victory was already his. “Trust me. My pitch is perfect. This is a done deal.” He rose to his feet. “And now, gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve just spotted a gorgeous brunette at the bar who might also enjoy a swing at my fastball tonight.”

Austin laughed. “Ladies aren’t that impressed with speed, Dev.”

Devlin put a hand on his shoulder as he passed. “Not to worry, brother. Not to worry.”

Just then, Ari and Mabel came out of the bathroom and headed for the bar area. I gave it ten seconds, but Kelly and Veronica didn’t follow.

I got out of my chair too. “I’ll be right back.”

SEVENTEEN

kelly

The second thebathroom door had closed behind the four of us, Veronica had leaned back against the sinks and crossed her arms. Her blue eyes were dancing. “Okay, Kelly Jo Sullivan. Spill.”

“About what?” I said innocently.

“About what’s going on with you and Xander!” Ari shrieked as she headed into a stall. “But talk loud so I can hear!”

I laughed, checking my reflection in the mirror. My face was flushed, and my head felt hot. I took off my borrowed Two Buckleys cap and yanked out my ponytail, shaking out my hair. “It’s nothing.”

“Um, it isnotnothing.” Mabel met my eyes in the glass. “I know my brother, and I haveneverseen him look at anyone the way he’s been looking at you all night.”

“That’s what I told her earlier.” Veronica nodded excitedly, her blond ponytail bobbing. “He cannot take his eyes off her. I’m expecting hearts to float out of them any second. And how about the fact that she’s wearing his clothes?”

Laughing, Mabel went into a stall and continued talking behind the closed door. “I’ve never seen him dance that way with anyone either.”

“We were justdancing.” But my cheeks grew warmer and pinker.

“Please.” Veronica held up a hand. “He was hanging on to you like a kid hugs his teddy bear at night, like he was afraid someone was going to come along and steal you away.”

“He’s protective,” I said. “He’s always worried about me being recognized. Photos of me up here are already online.”

“He still sleeping on the couch?”

“Um...” Should I lie? I wasn’t sure what Xander wanted his family to know.

“You can trust us,” she said. “We won’t say anything.”

“Definitely.” Ari came out of the stall and went to the sinks to wash her hands. “When it comes to girls vs. the Buckley boys, the girls stick together. Cone of silence in here.”

I laughed. “Okay. As of last night, he’s not sleeping on the couch anymore.”

Veronica squealed. “What happened? When I talked to him Friday, he said you two did not get along, and then yesterday at the house, you guys were adorable together.”

“I don’t really know what happened. We sort of just...” My shoulders rose. “Talked. Tried a little harder to listen to each other.”

“Talked?” Veronica squeaked. “Talked?”

“There may have been some other activities involved,” I said, redoing my ponytail.