She threw a carrot stick at me. “If I’d known how annoying you’d end up being, I’d have made it a condition of the sale that you moved to Siberia.”
“As if there is any place on earth chillier than the room you inhabit,” I countered, popping a slice of cucumber into my mouth.
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m gonna let that slide because I’m really enjoying this Gouda.” She studied a slice, then gently slid it into her mouth and licked her lips.
“Since the cheese is clearly softening you up, want to tell me why you came back?”
Though we’d been eating and drinking for hours, the time had passed quickly. She was snappy and funny, and no matter how many times she insulted me, I wanted more.
With her lips pressed together, she regarded me for a moment. “Several reasons. But partially for my family. My sister Celine. She’s had a rough year.”
My stomach sank as I thought about Chloe’s sweet sister. “She okay?”
“No, she’s not. She’s married to a fucking asshole I wish I could strap to the end of a feller. But that’s old news.”
“Shit. You weren’t kidding about having specific murder plans.”
She leaned forward and hit me with a terrifying smile. “Don’t cross me, Hebert. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
The threat didn’t hit the way she probably thought it would. I still liked her like this, feisty and passionate.
“My nephew, Julian, was diagnosed with autism a few months ago. It’s been hard on their family. It’s a good thing. Getting to a diagnosis takes a lot of work, but he’s finally getting services at school, which should help a lot.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“But her husband has been a real dick about it. She’s been navigating all of this alone. Taking care of her three kids and doing all this research and being an advocate for her son without any support for herself. I want to help, but I can’t actually help her.”
I slid my hand across the table and covered hers. “Don’t say that.”
“I mean it.” She ducked her head. “I’m not a mother. I’m not a doctor or a therapist. But I can show up.”
“And showing up is really fucking important.” I gave her hand a squeeze, loving the feel of her soft skin against mine.
“I think my nieces have been sidelined a little by all this. My sister is stretched thin. The whole situation has been rough on everyone. So I wanted to be here, for all of them.”
“Because you want to help,” I said.
This woman had always been so caring, so compassionate. Maybe I’d just forgotten that. Or maybe the wine had gotten to me. “And fix everything for everyone.”
She nodded. “You get it.”
“I do.”
She withdrew her hand slowly. I ached to grab it again but managed to control the urge.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shifted in her chair. “If my siblings could just accept that I know best and do everything I tell them to, their lives would be so much easier.”
I laughed. “The scary part is that I feel the same way about my brothers. I’m older. I’ve already made all the mistakes and can navigate them through without doing the same.”
“Right? I know my need to control everything is a problem, but I just want to wrap the people I love up in bubble wrap and make their lives as easy as possible.”
I clapped, startling Clem, who was lying by the back door. “Yes. But.” I tilted my head, taking in the stars sparkling above the mountains. “To be fair, I may not always know best. I told my brother Owen to stay far away from Lila, and now they’re madly in love.”
She waved her hand. “Nah, at the time, with the information you had, it was probably the right call. You were only looking to protect them.”
I nodded.
“You said she dated Cole for a long time, right? So an ex-boyfriend’s older brother scenario? That seems messy. Has angsty romance novel written all over it.”
I leaned in and raised a teasing brow. Fuck, I loved how relaxed she was. “What about divorced exes?”
With a scowl, she dropped back in her chair. “Stop right there. No flirting.”
I picked up my wineglass and gave her a shrug. “I like flirting with you. Even though I don’t like you, pushing your buttons is a lot of fun.”
Her only response was a silent glower.
Why was riling her up so damn exciting? “It’s fine,” I said, my blood heating at her fierce expression. “If you want to ice me out, I’ll do all the work here.” I punctuated that last part with a wink.
The scoff that escaped her only made this more fun.
Pushing my chair back, I stood slowly, definitely feeling the wine. Carefully, I shuffled to the love seat and flipped on the tabletop gas fire. Once it was roaring, I reclined against the cushion. It was a beautiful night. The breeze was cool and the sky was full of stars.
All my defenses were fading away, thanks to the wine. Or maybe it was the company. I’d never admit it, but having her here, in my space, lit a spark inside me. I felt liberated, like I could be anyone and do anything.
After a few moments, she joined me. The wicker love seat was small, but she kept a healthy distance. I could have fixated on that space between us, but the thrill of her being so close overwhelmed me.
I turned to face her. “You are so beautiful. I want to say something witty, but that’s all I can think about right now.”
