This is Effortless (Checkmate Duet 4)

“Sweetheart…” I interrupt her calmly, her voice overpowering mine. “Sweetheart,” I repeat louder, setting my shake down on the counter.

“What?” She finally stops scrolling and looks up at me.

“Slow down. I love that you’re excited—I am, too—but you’re making my head spin.” I wrap my hand around her shoulders and pull her mouth to mine, pressing a kiss against her lips.

“Well, I just figured we should have some kind of idea how we want to decorate our house, don’t you?” Her forehead wrinkles, and I hate that disappointed look on her face.

“Of course. I’m just making sure to stay logical, because you never know. Until we close, it’s not actually ours yet.”

Her lips turn down. “Yeah, I know. But it doesn’t hurt to have plans.”

She’s been so excited and passionate about this new step in our lives, it’s the first time I’ve seen her this giddy in weeks. She’s been humming around the house, laughing more, and even switched to baking a homemade pie for us one night, which means she wasn’t stress-baking muffins for once. I want her to stay this way for as long as I can help it.

“Okay, you’re right.” I return a smile.

“Kayla’s been giving me so many ideas. She texts me Pinterest links about twenty times a day.”

“I knew she was a bad influence,” I tease, lifting my pre-workout shake and chugging it down.

Courtney laughs and nods her head in agreement. “Yeah, if you think you’re overwhelmed by me, you should see the pin board she set up for us.”

“Well, it sounds like she has some good ideas.”

“Did I mention she has a board for every single room? Including the pantry and storage? Oh, and even the garage.”

I burst out laughing. “We need to get her a boyfriend.”

“Ha! Speaking of boyfriend, I think she and Tyler are getting rather cozy together. She’s been holding out hope for Logan, but he doesn’t seem to want to make a move, so she’s seeing where things go with Tyler.”

“Yeah, he talks nonstop about it, too,” I say, rolling my eyes because Tyler brings her up at every opportunity. “In fact, it’s getting really annoying.”

“Oh my God! He does? Tell me.”

“Court, no. I’m not gossiping about our friends.”

“Oh, come on! Kayla deserves to find a nice guy.”

“Logan’s a nice guy,” I say matter-of-factly. “He’s just going through some stuff right now.”

“What kind of stuff? Is he married or something?”

“What? No. He’s not really an open book, so you just have to peel back his layers bit by bit. If she really likes him, she should just wait it out, because he’ll come around.”

“Drew Fisher!” she squeals. “You’ve been holding out on me, haven’t you?”

I close my eyes. “I’m regretting this entire conversation right now,” I say to myself, but she hears me anyway and smacks the back of her hand against my arm.

“Well, maybe him seeing her with Tyler will give him the kick in the ass he obviously needs to finally realize that Kayla isn’t going to twirl her thumbs waiting around for him. She’s a catch! She’s sweet and caring, has a good job, she’s freaking gorgeous, and has the biggest heart. I mean, she volunteers at an animal shelter! She shouldn’t be settling for anyone, if you ask me,” she states matter-of-factly.

“I’ll be sure to tell Logan those exact words,” I say dryly.

She scowls at me in return and I laugh at her unimpressed expression.

“Babe…don’t get involved. We don’t need any additional drama right now. We have plenty of our own.”

She sighs. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give him a little push.” A sneaky smile plays on her lips.

“Courtney…” I warn.

“What?”

“What does that mean, exactly? What have you done?”

“Nothing!” she says in a high-pitch tone that tells me otherwise. I raise my brows at her until she gives in. “Fine! I’ve invited him to come with us to Kayla’s Christmas in July ugly sweater party.” She smiles proudly, pushing her shoulders back to show she’s not backing down from this.

“The same party that Tyler will be at?” I inquire, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Yup. And when he sees them together, he’ll realize he’s jealous and that he’s been an idiot for pushing her away all this time.”

“Oh my God.” I shake my head. “So, now you’re a matchmaker?”

“Just when I need to be. Kayla knows what she really wants, and if Logan wants to dance around what’s been in front of him the entire time, perhaps he needs to be shown what he’s potentially missing out on.”

“This isn’t going to end well,” I mutter, looking up at the ceiling. “You can’t just assume he’s going to get jealous and pounce her like an animal. Guys don’t work like that.”

“Oh, really?” she challenges, lifting her brows. “I remember a certain someone got pretty protective during a wedding reception.”