My eyes widened, and I was glad Erica had turned to hug my mom so she wouldn’t notice my expression. I didn’t doubt she’d left Coen’s name out because of the way I’d reacted at lunch a couple weeks ago, and there was no way she could’ve known that I knew about Coen’s studio. Because she didn’t know about us hanging out.
No one did.
Keegan wouldn’t bring Coen with him, would he?
Of all the days for Parker to lose my phone in the apartment while it was on silent . . . why today?
“Mom, you okay?”
I looked down at Parker and plastered a smile on my face. “Of course I am. Why?”
He studied me for a second. I swear . . . six going on twenty. “You look scared.”
“I’m not scared, honey. Are you excited to see—”
“Uncle Keegan!” he shouted, and darted past me.
He won’t be here. He won’t be here.
“Duchess.”
Fuck, he’s here.
I turned and couldn’t figure out if I wanted to step away from him so no one would notice how badly I was craving him, or if I wanted to close the distance between us so I could feel the man whose warm voice had been the last thing to fill my world before I’d fallen asleep the last five nights.
“Have you not been getting my texts?” he asked hesitantly. “I tried warning you that I was coming.”
“Parker lost my phone in the apartment.”
I was losing the fight in staying away from him. My body was slowly inching closer to him, and it physically ached to keep my arms at my side instead of wrapping them around his waist.
How had this happened? Friday had been . . . well, it hadn’t been what I’d expected it to be when I’d gone over there. I hadn’t been expecting our kisses. I hadn’t been expecting to get so lost in him that I wouldn’t want to leave. But what I really hadn’t expected was for this arrogant man to somehow creep his way into my life to the point where I woke up excited for my morning texts from him. Or how I couldn’t wait for Parker to go to sleep at night because I knew I’d get to talk to Coen until I fell asleep.
“I know your brother doesn’t know . . . do your parents?”
“No,” I mouthed, and hated the flash of disappointment in his eyes.
“Hey!”
Coen and I moved away from each other and looked down at Parker.
“You’re the guy from the park with
the cool arms!”
Coen’s face easily morphed into a smile as he held up his hand for Parker to slap. I was still as stone as everyone in my family and Erica eyed me curiously.
“How’re you doing, bud?” Coen asked, and bent down so he was closer to Parker’s height.
“Good. I’m still not old enough, you know.” He tapped Coen’s arm. “Mine would still wash off.”
Coen laughed and nodded before glancing at me. “Yeah, you’ve got a while for that one.”
I tried to smile at them. But my parents and Erica were still watching me. Keegan was now watching Coen and Parker. All of them looked confused.
“What’s your name?”
“Coen.”