Page 222 of Vows We Never Made

“Ethan, Ethan, always so emotional. So quick to jump to blows.” Cooper sits back down, brushing his coffee-soaked shirt, apparently unbothered by how Margot seems ready to scratch out his eyes. I’m a hair away from pulverizing his jaw and thousands in dental work. “I’d say it’s your time overseas—how many of our servicemen never really reintegrate into civilian life?—but memories run deep in Portland. Everyone remembers what a spoiled, reckless brat you were.”

“Cooper? I have a question.” Hattie’s face flares red as she says his name, but she doesn’t look away as he turns to her. “Do you know Julia Sage?”

“Julia Sage?” Cooper frowns, the question knocking him off-balance.

“Your wife’s yoga teacher when you’re in Portland,” Hattie says brightly. Recognition flickers in Cooper’s eyes. “You’re so into history and rumors, right? Let’s just say there areplentythere.”

I don’t have a clue what she’s getting at.

But Margot jabs her pointer finger in Cooper’s face, her nail glinting like a blade.

“In case that was too subtle, let me fill you in.” Her smile is pure malice, and I’ve never loved my little sister more. “There are a lot of stories floating around about certain star developers getting handsy with their wives’ yoga friends. I mean, really just one developer, but holy shit it’sjuicy.”

That does it.

Daley morphs into a human tomato, deathly red, that short crop of hair on his head like blond leaves.

He lurches up with a rabid snarl.

I step in front of the girls, protecting them.

“Now who’s emotional, Daley?” I bite off, keeping my voice low so we don’t feed the baristas and other customers already watching us. “It’s not good to hold it in. Why don’t I help you let it out? Go on, I dare you.”

He wants to beat my face in, no question.

That feral spark in his eyes hides nothing—especially his outrage that it wasn’t supposed to go down like this.

It wasn’t supposed to be this hard.

I was easy pickings, weak and at my lowest.

Now? He’s face-to-face with a cornered wolverine, and this ferocious fucker is all razor teeth.

A small hand presses into my back, so unexpected I stiffen.

Hattie.

For a second, my blood heats. I forget where I am.

Then I remember.

I smile at Cooper Daley like the devil himself coming for his soul.

Their help was unexpected, but I’ve never been one to turn down a favor.

“Well?” I snap, watching his face go from tomato to Carolina reaper. “Damn shame it’s come down to this.”

“You don’t have anything on me.” His voice quivers.

“Oh, really?” Margot pipes up from behind me. “So you mean youwouldn’tmind if your wife found out? I bet she’ll be so interested in how many ladies from yoga you’ve tried to jump every time you’re in Portland.”

Cooper’s jaw tightens. Every muscle in his eye twitches.

If I wasn’t standing here, I’d think there’s a chance he might launch himself at her. Either that or go flying out the door.

Time to play the final card.

“What a mess,” I sneer. “Tell you what, Daley. To show you there are no hard feelings, I’ll let the land go. It’s yours.”