Raising a brow, I watch her take a scoop of wild rice and fill her bowl with chicken broth. The dishes are simple, but it took a bit of trial and error until I was content with my results.
“Of course.”
She swallows her food and licks her lips before letting out a giggle.
“Did you learn to cook for me?”
I pause and then shake my head. “No?”
“Geez. It wouldn’t hurt you to just admit it.”
I grin, rustling her hair on the top of her head.
“Food from restaurants is filled with preservatives and excess sugar. It’s not good for your health, especially while you’re still recuperating.”
Being in Natalie’s presence is a habit that’s turned into a necessity. Regardless of not speaking about it, it’s become a need every day to see her beautiful, innocent face and hear her sweet voice. Her intoxicating scent lingers in my senses, and it takes a lot of energy to restrain myself every time our skin touches.
I want to hold and claim her.
I want her more than anything or anyone in this world.
But it’s wrong.
She’s like a sibling, a sister that I’m compelled to protect. Regardless of not sharing blood ties, we are family, raised and taught the same morals by the same man.
Family…
These thoughts continue to concern me. Our relationship has gotten a lot better, and I want to cherish every moment with her. Yet, deep inside, I know that I would not be able to give her the kind of future she’s dreamed of–a home full of love and happiness.
“What are you thinking? Your phone’s ringing…” Natalie speaks impatiently, snapping me back to reality. Her plate is almost empty, and the oven’s timer just made a loud ding sound.
Nodding, I get up from my seat.
The caller is my buddy, Ashton.
Frowning, I walk away from the dining room and head to my study. I don’t want Natalie to hear the conversation.
“Bro!”
“What do you want?” I ask impatiently.
Ashton chuckles before letting out a deep sigh.
“It seems like you don’t treat me like a brother anymore at all! I’ll be shockedto death the day I receive your wedding invitation.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Massaging the bridge of my nose, I settle my the office chair, my gaze landing on a photograph. It’s a high school graduation photo of Natalie. She’s holding a bouquet of stargazers with Benedict’s hand on her shoulder, beaming proudly.
“I heard Natalie was in an accident.”
I feel the corner of my lips twitch. Did he call just to gossip?
“I’m hanging up.”
“You’re aware that Moore was not behind the car accident, right? Even still,Natalie’s parents also died in a car crash. It was just a coincidence that twovehicles were speeding up at the same time Natalie was rushing to arrive at thescene?”
“You and your conspiracies.”
“It’s not a conspiracy.”
I raise my brow. The familiar voice sounds unusually tired and irritated.
Another voice comes on the line. “It may have slipped your attention, but the drivers of the vehicles completely disappeared after they were discharged from the hospital. It doesn’t end with Moore behind bars and Natalie securing her position. This was no accident.”
The second speaker is Gray Goldstein, another brother from the frat.
I’m already aware of the things he speaks of. Unfortunately, my team and I reached a dead end when we tried to probe for further information about the missing people.
“Funny how you have the time to chatter about me when you just came back
from a deadly mission. Who put you up to this?”
Gray laughs.
“I’m glad I made it back in time for your wedding!
“Nonsense. There’s no wedding.” I mumble dismissively, reaching out for the picture frame.
