Page 25 of The Holiday Clause

He did a double-take. “Soren? I thought you were calling Logan.”

“I did. Then I called Soren. I agreed to go out with both of them. Figured I might as well play the field and test out all my options.”

His irritation bubbled but he didn’t understand why this was pissing him off so much. “Have fun.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

He slammed the tailgate. “Shovels are done.”

“Great.”

He carried them back to the shed. The gravel crunched behind him as she followed.

Bodhi kept all the brooms, rakes, and shovels upside down in a metal trash can. It was a stupid, top-heavy system that spilled whenever anyone touched it. Greyson cursed and fumbled with the shovels until he was sure they wouldn’t topple over. When he pivoted, Wren crashed into his chest.

She looked up at him, her features slightly shaded by the shadows. Her soft jasmine fragrance filled the cramped space, despite the fading scent of drying herbs and fertilizer.

“If you don’t want me to date your brothers, Greyson, say the word and I won’t.”

He didn’t want her to date his brothers.

The statement rang like a gong through his mind, rattling his skull, but he remained outwardly silent.

There was no logical reason for him to keep her away from his brothers or anyone else at this stage. She was thirty years old and free to see whoever she pleased.

“Date whoever you want.”

It was such a subtle shift but he swore her shoulders sagged. He needed to get out of this shed. The longer she cornered him, the more he felt like prey.

She bit her plump lower lip and nodded, her gaze skating off into the corner. “Okay, Greyson. If that’s really how you feel, I will.”

How else should he feel? If his father wanted to throw down ultimatums and sell off his legacy, that was on him. He wasstaying out of it. Maybe she and Logan could actually make this work since they’d always shared a special bond.

A bad taste filled his mouth. “I have to get going.”

“Right. More shovels to sharpen.” She met his stare and took a small step forward. “I’m seeing Logan Tuesday night.”

“Busy week. Don’t forget Nate.”

“Mature. You know his name’s Noah.” The wind blew, and the wooden door to the shed swung closed, cutting away the light. “If you’re jealous, you could add your name to my dance card?”

“Wren.” He gave her a warning look.

“Greyson?” She used to tease him like this when they were young, but it had been years since she’d played these games. She took another step toward him. One deep breath and they’d be touching.

He tried to shift back, but there was nowhere to go in the cramped shed. “There’s not enough room in here for two people.”

“Is it too tight?”

His breath caught in his throat as he cocked his head. What had gotten into her? Did she think she could push his buttons without consequence? Did she want to see how far she could go without crossing that line? It had been a damn long time since he’d felt the touch of a woman. They were alone. It was dark. Who would know?

He would.

He grabbed her shoulders to move her aside so he could leave, but she contorted her body and slipped out of the flannel, suddenly behind him.Damn yoga.She was as bendy as a coil.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“No.”