Big Talking Man by Marquita Valentine

Author:Marquita Valentine [Valentine, Marquita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: best friend's little sister, beach read, secret marriage, second chance at love, older brother's best friend, angsty romance, hollywood romance, Friends to lovers romance
Publisher: Valentine Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Quinn

“Thanks for making Tate and me feel like kids.”

Duke grimaces. “River is waiting for you. She let herself in.”

“That’s why I have a code just for her.”

Instead of leaving like I want him to do, Duke crosses his arms over his chest. “Care to explain what’s going on with y’all?”

Cocking my hip to one side, I tap my finger against my cheek and pretend to consider his words. “No, not really.”

“Uh-huh.” Pushing away from his truck, he moves in closer to me. “I like Tate. He’s a good guy. But it seems to me that the last time the two of you were... close, it suddenly stopped and you turned into this miserable ghost of a sister.”

I can’t stay mad at Duke when his concern and love for me is so obvious. “It’s not like that, at least not this time, and even though this is none of your business, last time wasn’t really Tate’s fault either.”

“Whose was it?”

“Barron’s,” I say firmly.

Duke lifts his brows, as if to say of course it was. “Why are things different now?”

I shift my stance. “It’s not... really. Things are the same, but we are handling our relationship like adults.”

“Relationship, huh?”

I nod. “Has it been that long since you were in one? Maybe try Tinder or Bumble. All the cool kids are doing it. Literally doing it... and you should be, too.”

My brother glowers. “Where’s a money jar when you need one?”

“Knight has suggested that Campbell label any jar with ‘All the cool kids are doing it.’”

“Then I’ll do it.”

I narrow my eyes. “You are such a pain in the tail.”

“And you’re my little sister.” Uncrossing his arms, he runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t mean to be a hard ass. I’m concerned, and I’m wound pretty damn tight right now. River isn’t speaking to me. Let me rephrase that—River isn’t speaking to me that much, and Laken is on my ass to make our daughter spend more time with her.”

“So much for change.”

“It’s driven by guilt, Q. She’s lost so much time with River that she thinks she needs to make it up as quickly as possible, but it doesn’t work like that. Especially not for a ten-year-old girl who suddenly found out she not only has a mother who wants to be in her life right now, but also a little brother, too.” He blows out a breath, clearly irritated. “I can’t say shit about anything because I don’t want to poison River against her mother, but damn it, I’m tired of watching my little girl cry.”

I take a step toward the door. “Holy crap, Duke. Is she crying right now?”

“Not really. She wanted to stay home, but she also wants to stay with you. She said you’d be upset if she didn’t.”

“Duke Edward King! Why in the world didn’t you tell that child she—oh, forget it.” I hold my hands up. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“Quinn, you don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. I always do,” I mutter.

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