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“Little brother,” Danny nods at Samuel, “how are you?”

“Fine,” Samuel says. “When did you get back in town?”

Huh?

Samuel knew he was out of town. Am I the only one who doesn’t talk to Danny?

“Last week,” Danny replies, his eyes landing on me. “Bexley, how’s the shop?” And he shocks the living fuck out of me when he quickly reaches in, kissing the side of my face in greeting.

Something inside of me ignites.

A black flame.

Hidden feelings.

My whole nervous system.

The cheek kiss has never applied to us.

And I swear I hear a faint gasp from somewhere, but that’s just my ears. No one would do that where Danny could hear them.

“Fine, Danny,” I reply with my fists balled in my trench coat’s pockets, acting as though he didn’t just bring me back to life.

“Good. Let’s go eat, yeah?” He looks at little Samantha and tickles her stomach, earning another giggle from her.

He walks in front with Samantha in his arms and his two “dogs” follow behind. Ma grabs Paul’s arm and Ellen gets her other kids in line. Samuel and I are last to go.

“You’ve been talking with Danny?” I ask.

He nods. “Of course. He’s my brother.”

“You didn’t tell me this.”

“Why does it matter?”

“Because I assumed you didn’t have a relationship.”

“You assumed wrong,” he says, his tone clipped.

I don’t appreciate it. I touch his arm, moving us to the side. “Hey, what’s the deal with you?” I ask lowly so no one else can hear us.

Samuel looks at me, and for the first time, I see it. Not think it, or wonder, but really see it.

He knows.

He lifts his chin. “Let’s not pretend like your whole world doesn’t light up when he’s around, Bex.”

Guilt swims heavy in my veins, but I try to keep it off my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I don’t appreciate what you’re insinuating. I’ve been nothing but committed to this marriage and honest with you.”

He laughs before leaning near my ear. “Is that why you’ve been taking birth control?”

I swallow.

“So, I don’t want to have a child right now. That has nothing to do with Danny.”

People walk past us as the family waits outside. The cold wind has entered in through the doors, sending a chill down my neck.

Samuel tilts his head. “Why not just say that then?”