Page 18 of Romancing His Heart

“How the hell did she hear that?” Red whispers.

“She raised a barn full of boys. She hears it all. What are you doing?”

“I have to get this glass cleaned up before she comes in here.” She’s still whispering like she’s trying to protect me, and it does something funny to my insides.

Glancing around the room, I see the mess I made only moments earlier. “I feel like I’m in a time warp.”

Sloane glances up and smiles. “Emory said things would be fuzzy for a while. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m sorry you have to keep cleaning up after me,” I say, feeling ashamed. Then I notice the bandage on her toe.

“What the fuck, Red? Did you step on the glass?”

“Loki,” Sylvie admonishes, popping her head into the room. “Oh, dear. Everyone stop. Right now, stop.”

Red slowly stands and meets my gaze while Sylvie takes over.

“It’s quite the mess in here, Loki.” Sylvie levels me with a hard stare. “That makes me think you’re not following the doctor’s orders, and I have to tell you, I’m really very fond of your doctor.”

I swear Red rolls her eyes, but I can’t be sure.

“And you,” Sylvie points right at Red, “you’re going to have to be much more assertive if you’re going to keep this pain in the ass in line.”

Sloane laughs. “I can be tough when I need to be, Mrs. Westbrook.”

“Tsk, tsk, Sloane. I’ve already told you. Sylvie is just fine.” She crosses the room to stand in front of Sloane. “You’re doing a great job, dear. I know it’s not easy taking care of these big, growly men. Now, what is going on in here?”

“Well, first I heard a loud crash—”

“That isn’t my fault,” I argue. “The last time I was home, my bathroom wasn’t full of all that shit.”

“Our bathroom,” Sloane interrupts.

I go to argue, but Sylvie laughs. “I can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?” Red and I ask in unison.

“GG was right again.”

“What?”

“Who?”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter right now,” Sylvie says evasively. “Okay, then what happened in here?” she asks, sweeping her hand around the bedroom.

“The red ninja snuck up on me,” I answer without thinking.

This time Sloane definitely rolls her eyes. “I brought his dinner, but he’d fallen asleep. When I set his food down, sticky as he requested,” she shares freshly, “I saw my name on his text message chain. Dexter and Trevor seriously need to chill out. I only asked a few questions.”

Sylvie bursts into a belly laugh I’m not sure I’ve ever heard from her before, and we both turn to face her.

“Sorry, sorry.” She waves her hands. “I’ve heard about your questions, dear, and good for you. I just finished readingThe Story Of Us, by the way. Such an epic love story those two had.”

Red’s entire body flames, and I watch in fascination as she swallows hard.

“You read that?” she finally forces out.

“Woo-we did I ever.” Sylvie pretends to fan herself. “I have my book club reading it next week. I can’t wait to see those old bitties heating up their Kindles.”