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“Right,” he finally admits. Looking back up at me he sighs, and one corner of his lips pull in a faint smile. “When did you become the reasonable level headed one? I thought I was supposed to be the big brother giving you guiding life advice, not the other way around.”

“Sometimes we can forget our own advice and act purely on instinct. Especially when protecting a family member, and I love you for that. But you have to remember I’m also an adult and can make decisions for myself.”

Sage glares at Kai who remains silent and still behind me. Hopefully not doing anything to make me regret my words. I don’t think Kai is what people see him as. He’s more than what they see on the surface level, he just doesn’t like to share it with everyone. His extroverted, outgoing personality masks his inner gentleness and vulnerability. I’ve seen it in the moments between us when no one else is looking. The layers beneath his outer shell.

“Fine. But I’ll be watching him very closely.” To Kai he adds, “Daisy is my only concern, her happiness and safety. Do anything to risk either and I’ll make sure you never touch another female in your life.”

I look over my shoulder to see Kai nodding his head in agreement, a stern determined look on his face. “I would never intentionally hurt Daisy, it’s the last thing I want.”

Sage stares at him a few moments longer before accepting his words and the emotion he heard within them. Not a lie. Sometimes being a living lie detector comes in handy. Both male’s postures remain taut but far less aggressive now.

“What are you doing here today?” Sage asks again, far more calmly than before.

“I wanted to ask Daisy to dinner at Dottie’s tonight. If that’s okay with you?” Kai doesn’t sound condescending or patronizing, he’s actually asking Sage’s permission to take me to dinner, and my heart warms.

Shifting from foot to foot, Sage appears taken off guard by the honesty in Kai’s tone. I give Kai a beaming smile and try to hide my pleasure. I’m sure my flowers give me away but neither male is looking at them right now, only each other. Each sizing the other up, both finding they reluctantly like the other, I think.

Sage nods and Kai visibly unclenches, letting out a quiet breath. Was he worried Sage would stop me from going out with him? For the first time in my life, I actually want to go out with a guy and no matter what Sage said I would have, one way or another.

Looking to me, Sage smiles and places a strong hand on my shoulder. “You’re my little sister Daiz, I have to be the big brother sometimes. I just want you safe and happy.”

“And I am both of those things. Don’t worry, if he steps out of line, you’ll be the first to know.”

At that he grins, a little maniacally, far more calm and relaxed than when he first burst out of the house.

“If I don’t have to castrate you first, maybe you could come over for dinner sometime? Have a proper introduction, maybe prove my sister right?”

Kai looks shocked at Sage’s offer, but that’s just how he is. Willing to admit his wrong and make it right, or at least try to. He’s willing to let Kai prove himself to be more than his rumored reputation.

Kai stutters for a moment, looking as if he’s never been invited over for dinner before.

“Sure. I’d like that,” he finally says.

“Good. Tomorrow night then?”

Tomorrow is Friday, a prime evening for going out to the bar and picking up girls. Sage is testing him already. It’s strange to have my big brother testing a male for his right to…what? Court me? Date me? I have no idea where this is going but I’m just going to let it take its natural course and find out.

“Tomorrow sounds perfect.”

Sage seems satisfied with Kai’s dinner acceptance and gives me a kiss on the top of my head before returning back inside the house without another word.

“Well, that was…”

“Intense?” I finish for Kai.

“Something like that. I don’t think I’ve ever had a showdown with a big brother before. It was oddly nice.”

I chuckle and shuffle on my feet, folding my hands inside the sleeves of my sweater.

“Nice? Why was it nice?”

For the first time since we met, Kai blushes, his cheeks reddening, complimenting his crimson stripes. “I’ve never had tomeet the familyof anyone I’ve dated. It’s nice to see a family that’s protective of one another out of love. I kind of like it. Gives me more reason not to fuck up.”

Realizing what he’s saying, my heart flutters and a heated knot forms in my stomach.I am different from all the rest.

Taking the few steps to Kai, I reach up on my tip toes and press a tender kiss to his cheek, which he wasn’t expecting either.

“So, you mentioned dinner at Dottie’s?” I ask coyly. I’ve never been the bold one, but I feel braver around Kai. Like I want to be more outgoing and playful.