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Slow Heat Jill Shalvis 20170K 2023-08-31

"Your mom emailed us about the mural," Penny said as Hud picked up the ht of it as a family endeavor, a family picture, and you knohat? I realized we don’t have a single one of all of us How sad is that? So she’s right We’re taking a vote"

Well, hell Hud put the muffin down "I’m sorry," he said "She shouldn’t have asked this of you I know I should take away her phone but--"

"I like the idea of a mural," Gray said

Hud stared at him "What?"

"Yeah," Gray said "Actually, we all like the idea"

Of course, because they were insane, each more than the next "No," he said "We don’t all like the idea" He said this even though a sht of the mural And her claih a hard time

For all Hud knew, his mom had recycled a story she’d heard or seen on TV Or hell, iven her a sob story He didn’t know and didn’t care She wasn’t his business

The resort was his business "We’re not doing a mural simply because you all feel sorry forhis face with thick French toast "That would be stupid Hey, are you going to eat that food or what?"

Hud shoved his brother’s hand away from his breakfast and pulled the plate in closer to protect it--necessary with this bunch "A mural is io to theour asses, and spendingto do"

"Actually, no it wouldn’t," Gray said "You know the ru around town that the resort is in trouble We put up a huge-ass ht here No e juice Kenna, Penny, and Lily did the saain Why wasn’t anyone listening?

"And your exact objection is what again?" Aidan asked, snaking Lily’s muffin

In response, Lily scooted into Aidan’s lap and nibbled on his ear

Aidan’s eyes closed and…

Lily snagged hersrinned at hiain--to the crazy people "For lots of reasons One, our balloon pay down on us, and last I checked, it was threatening to put us all out on our asses Two, if we’re going to spend et Gray and Penny a da--pulled apart, neither looking particularly sorry "And three," Hud said, "the artist one"

"No, she’s not," Penny said, and waved at so with her bright red ski cap He stood up as she cahtly

"What are you doing here?" he asked

"Rude," Kenna said, elbowing hiut "Even for you, Hud" And since Hud had stood up, Kenna was able to kick his chair out and give it to the wo the spot for you"

Hud gave her a long look, which she of course ignored

Still avoiding Hud’s gaze, Bailey sat And then, unbelievably, she beamed down at his plate and picked up the blueberrya bite like she was starving "Thanks for the offer of breakfast and the ideas you all emailed me," she said around a bite "Carrie had soot a sketch to show you"

Te he didn’t want to acknowledge He’d heard this wo She’d been patient with her Patient, kind, and… sweet