Free Betrayal by Christina Dodd

you know…” Brooke turned to Rafe. “We’re going to have to drop by to see Eli and Chloë tonight.”
    “Ha! You told me before you told Eli,” Noah said.
    “You are so mature.” Brooke’s sarcasm was crushing.
    Noah just grinned as he set Brooke aside, very carefully, as if she were fragile. “So we have to get this remodel going. I assume we need floor plans drawn?”
    “We most certainly do,” Penelope agreed.
    “I’ll get the guys in here to take measurements right away.” He extended his hand to Rafe. They shook, all manly congratulations, and then, like brothers raised in affection, they hugged and laughed.
    The way they acted, it looked to Penelope almost like a reconciliation.
    “You didn’t waste any time.” Noah stepped away from Rafe and pounded him on the back.
    “We didn’t plan it.” Brooke watched them, smiling. “After the last couple of months’ trouble, we just… weren’t very careful.”
    “Let me think.” Noah puckered his mouth like an elderly lady. “What did Mrs. Burns teach us in junior high? Oh, yeah. It only takes once.”
    “Shut up, Noah. You’ve made your share of mistakes.” With a glance at Penelope, Rafe stopped abruptly.
    “Not that mistake,” Noah said coolly.
    No. It was true. That summer Noah had been very, very careful about contraception. At the time, Penelope had been relieved to have a boyfriend who meticulously took all the responsibility. When he later tossed her aside with casual disdain, she realized it hadn’t been for her, but for him—he hadn’t wanted the possible entanglement of a child with her.
    Now she knew a little more about the stats concerning condoms—they were ninety-eight percent effective in preventing pregnancy. That meant that in one year’s time, two couples out of one hundred who used condoms would have an unintended pregnancy.
    When she looked back on that summer, on the urgency of their passion and the pleasure of spending every possible moment in each other’s arms… Well, it was lucky she hadn’t conceived.
    And her own mother, who had raised a daughter on her own with no help from Penelope’s father or her own family… her mother would have killed her.
    Before the pause could grow awkward—more awkward—Brooke said, “It’s true, Rafe. Penelope is an interior designer, and we are so lucky I found her! As soon as we met I knew we were simpatico.”
    “Where did you meet?” Rafe didn’t sound nervous or overly cheerful. In fact, he scrutinized Penelope as if he knew she had stolen the family silver.
    “At Rhodes Café.” Brooke put her hand on Rafe’s arm and squeezed hard. “I knew she was the exact right person to help me make this house our home.”
    Rafe looked at his wife as if trying to curb her enthusiasm. “First we’ll want to check her credentials, of course.”
    “I’ve already forwarded my résumé and references to your wife,” Penelope answered.
    “And darned if I’m not capable of checking and approving those credentials myself, seein’ as how I used to be the head concierge of a large resort and hired hundreds of employees in my time.” Brooke smacked her husband hard with the sarcasm stick.
    Noah laughed.
    Rafe was clearly unmoved. “Of course you’re capable. I would never insinuate you’re not. But I’m in charge of security now, and all employees are vetted by me.”
    Startled by Rafe’s inexorable tone, Penelope lifted her brows at Brooke.
    “It’s a long story,” Brooke said to her, hands rising and falling in uncharacteristic vulnerability.
    Noah stepped in with a swift change of subject. “Rafe, you’re lucky. Penelope’s degree is from the University of Cincinnati. Isn’t that right?” Noah smiled at her.
    My God . That smile. It used to make Penelope’s heart stop. “I don’t remember sending you a graduation announcement,” she said. Which sounded surly. But she felt surly. Had he been spying on her?
    “Nonna told me.” Still Noah smiled at her.
    That