Maybe guys in his world talk to practical strangers like this, but I’d never even say this shit to my brothers about a woman I was seeing or saw in the past. It’s bad form and more than a little sleazy. And what’s he trying to say, anyway? That Teagan stepped out on Heath? With him?

“I’m saying that you should do what you can to keep up with her if you’re not into sharing . . . if you catch my drift.”

“I don’t think I do, Rich,” I say, forcing calm into my voice. “What are you trying to say?”

“Nope.” He mimes zipping his lips and locking them, and slowly backs away. “I don’t kiss and tell.” He points both index fingers at me, wagging them as he heads to the door. “Godspeed, sir.”

He leaves the dining room, and I make myself count to ten. On the one hand, I want to run after him and punch him in the face. On the other hand, I’m here to save Teagan from drama, not to cause more, so I make myself stay seated until I finish my coffee.

I’m about to leave when Saanvi comes in. She’s a shorter and thinner version of her sister, but they both have a smile that lights up their whole face.

“Good morning,” she singsongs.

“Good morning, Saanvi. How are you feeling this morning?”

“I’m great! No hangover, thanks to copious water, Gatorade, and some healthy exercise to clear some of the booze out of my system before sleeping.”

Exercise. It’s rare that I feel like the biggest prude around, and yet my first two conversations of the day are certainly making me feel that way. I like Saanvi and I like her fiancé, but I really don’t want to know about the “exercise” they did last night.

She must spot my cringe because she laughs. “A walk, Carter. Liam and I took a midnight stroll along the lake. As in, actual exercise.”

“Right. Sorry. And good. I’m glad you’re well this morning.”

“How’s Teagan?” Saanvi asks, filling a plate with Danishes.

“Good. Sleeping.” I motion to her plate. “I thought you were having breakfast with the girls this morning.”

“Yeah, but that’s in, like, two hours.” She lowers her voice. “And I am a little hungover.”

“The truth comes out.”

“Worth it.” She grins and takes a seat beside me. “Liam likes you, you know.”

“He’s a good guy. I’m glad he approves.”

“He said Rich rubs you the wrong way, though.” She says this casually, as if she’s just putting the information out there, but I can tell by the way she watches me from under her brows that she’s trying to read my reaction.

And how exactly am I supposed to respond to this? I blow out a breath. Fuck it. “That’s putting it mildly. I can’t stand the guy.”

She nods slowly, tearing a lemon pastry into bite-size pieces. I’m not sure if she’s going to eat it or play with it. “You’d probably feel differently if he’d started off on a better foot with you. I mean, he planned on coming here to sweep Teagan off her feet, and then suddenly, last weekend he found out she has this boyfriend—you. He’s trying, but I don’t think it’s easy for him to put on his best face when you have what he wants most.”