Deal Makers (Dealing with Love 3)

I nod to the cutting board as she slices some mushrooms. “What are you making?”

“Beef stroganoff. Do you have time to stay? I have more than enough.”

I pat my stomach. “I’m sure as shit not going to turn down a homecooked meal.”

“Ooh, you said a naughty word, Unca’ Drew!” Nathan shouts. “Put a dollar in the jar!”

“That kid has super hearing, I swear,” I grumble.

Devyn laughs as I shove a dollar bill into the swear jar on the top of their fridge. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“Where’s Rye?”

“We were out of egg noodles. He should be back from the store any minute.” As if on cue, the garage door starts opening. “Or right now, rather.”

My new brother-in-law walks in through the door that leads into the kitchen. He smiles when he sees Devyn, sets a bag of groceries on the counter, and pulls her into a kiss. “Hello, my wife.”

She sighs. “Hello, my husband.”

I make a gagging gesture.

Devyn rolls her eyes. “Oh, stop it.”

“I’m just giving you sh...crap. Marriage agrees with you guys.”

Devyn smiles. “Speaking of marriage...”

“Yeah, what’s happening with that?” Riley asks. “I got some really...interesting texts from Brody while we were on our honeymoon.”

“I can only imagine.” I roll my eyes. “At least he’s talking to you. It’s been two weeks and he refuses to acknowledge me or Charlee.”

He opens the fridge and grabs a couple of beers, offering me a bottle. “I can’t believe you married her, man. I knew you were fooling around but that takes it up quite a few notches.”

“So, Brody didn’t take it too well, huh?” my sister asks.

“Not even close. He punched me in the face. And then he gave me an ultimatum: him or Charlee.”

“Crap,” Devyn mutters. “What are you going to do, Drew? I know how much you like her.”

“I more than like her,” I say. “I have no idea what’s going to happen. I won’t give her up, Dev. But I don’t want to lose Brody either. I had hoped he would see how difficult he was being after he’d had some time to cool off but that doesn’t seem to be happening.”

Riley raises an eyebrow. “Well, who would’ve thought? The man who swore the M.P. is a myth has finally found his unicorn.”

Ah, the good ol’ magic pussy. He’s right; I didn’t think it really existed but as is everything with Charlotte Harris, I’m a new man.

“I’m that obvious, huh?”

He laughs. “Totally.”

Devyn rolls her eyes. “You guys are so crude sometimes. Can’t you just call it soulmates or something?”

Riley smacks a kiss on her cheek. “Sorry, baby, not gonna happen.”

“Unca’ Drew,” Nathan whines. “Come play Legos with me! You pwomised!”

I nod to the kid. “Uncle duty calls.”

Devyn gives me a sad smile. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”