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“Yup, Rolf’s a he. Man of the house, now.”
“I could tell by the head. He’s beautiful.”
“Ah, you know shepherds. Do you have one?”
“I wish. My best friend has two. I’ve always wanted one but don’t have a yard.”
“He’s friendly if I tell him it’s OK for him to be, but I always ask. Do you want him put away while you are here?”
“Gosh, no. I love shepherds.”
Jannie looked at Adam.“I like her already, Ug.” She reached for the black Rimowa.“Is there more luggage?”
“Those two are mine. Adam only has this one.”
“I’m surprised he even brought a suitcase,” Jannie muttered. She started toward the house.“Leave those there; Ian will get them. Give me a sec to deal with Rolf.”
Eve paused in the doorway, her gaze swinging to Adam.“Ug?”
He rolled his eyes.“Don’t ask.”
She stifled a laugh. This was the first time she had ever seen Adam roll his eyes. The weekend was going to be enlightening.
She felt his hand on her forearm.“I forgot to tell you. No shoes inside the house.”
Eve’s brows lifted. Before she could ask anything, the door opened again, and Adam stood in the doorway.
Except, it couldn’t be Adam.
Eve blinked.
Good God, there were two of them.
She’d seen the similarities in the photo, but in person, it was uncanny. The same sapphire eyes looked down at her, smiling, but without the fire that always burned in Adam’s.
“So, she does exist.”
The voice was a tad higher but not by much. She also noted, after the initial shock, that he was shorter by an inch or so.
“Eve,” Adam said from behind her,“meet another rude family member, my brother Ian. Ian, this is Eve.”
“OK, dog’s good! You can come in now!” Jannie called from somewhere inside the house.
Ian just stared down at Eve, and she thought she saw something of a shadow in his eyes, but it passed just as quickly.
“Are you going to let us in today?” Adam drawled.
“Nice to see you too,” Ian said. He stepped aside.“It’s great to meet you, Eve. Word had it that Adam was seeing someone, but we weren’t sure what to believe.”
What had Adam told them about her? Nerves coiled in her stomach.
“Hello, Ian.” She kicked off her wedges, stepping down and feeling even shorter.
Adam handed her a little plastic bag, and she saw they were disposable ballet flats. She slipped them on, noting that Adam had put on smiley face slides.
She choked back a startled laugh.
Walking in, she noted the polished cream marble floors were immaculate, which was surprising given that Lauren’s home always had residual German shepherd hair.