Page 21

Why am I bothering to be civil at all?

This is the shit cherry on top of an already terrible day and I want to drop into bed. Apparently, it’s not happening.

A week of constant pressure from the real estate firm where I work had the potential to be completely erased with a one-word text to Aiden.

Cabin.

He’d agreed. The drive in from New York City took me almost no time with the prospect of being completely isolated from reality waiting for me in Holly Brook.

Except there’s no isolation, not now.

Aiden’s already in the kitchen and laughing under his breath. His chuckle falters when he catches sight of Gilli behind me.

“Well, now, isn’t this interesting. The sister you hate, huh?” he asks.

She isnotmy sister.

Gilli pulls up short. “Wait. You hate me, Soren?”

“Those words didn’t come from my mouth, Gillian,” I snap and transfer my glare to Aiden even when he holds out a cold bottle of beer for me like it’s a peace offering.

She huffs. “I always knew we didn’t get along, but extending as far as hatred…that’s news to me.”

“I’m pretty sure I remember you, actually.” Aiden watches her, working his teeth over his lower lip. “Dark hair, glasses, yeah. Gilli, right? I mean, that’s what Soren always called you.”

He shifts from the counter to one of the chairs he pullsout from the fifties-inspired red-topped dining table. Maybe Gilli doesn’t note his slight wince when he sits but I do.

This is the last thing we need. I’m a terrible host, ungracious and pissed-off to begin with.

“She’s grown up a lot,” Aiden continues.

I turn my head only far enough for him to see my loaded look, for him alone. “She might be older but her manners are stunted. She doesn’t know that it’s wrong to show up someplace uninvited.”

Her cheeks turn pink. I still see the way she looked at me in the bedroom when she pushed against me. The way she felt?—

“I’m sure she’s got a good reason for it,” Aiden replies easily.

He’s got his habitual amused grin pinned in place but he’s not focused on me. He’s staring at Gilli with an undeniable hunger. His gaze lingers on her lips and he’s not even aware of my scowl anymore.

Horny bastard. He’ll fuck anything that moves, and right now, Gillian is the center target.

She has no clue how he’s looking at her. Like he’s already smitten.

If I hadn’t found her first, I wonder what Aiden would have thought. Or what he’d have said if she’d crawled into his bed instead of mine. He’s not the type to hold himself back if he gets a green light.

Neither of us are anymore.

If Gilli wasanyother woman, if I hadn’t forced her away?—

I take a long swig of beer.

“Want me to remind you how I have every right to be here?” Gilli asks suddenly, her soft voice going off with the force of a gunshot. “Because I do.”

I pause my sipping. “You’re doubling down?”

Her stance widens, the buttons on her flannelstraining. “Yes.”

“So it’s okay to be a part of the family when it’s convenient for you?” I leave her standing in the kitchen and head to the table, grabbing the seat opposite Aiden.