Page 73 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

But then she remembered what his childhood was like and maybe it was hard for him to let go of that mentality at times.

His house was stunning and fit his personality, but it was minimalistic. What he had was well made and built to last. She had some upscale brands in her house too.

Quality over quantity had always been how she’d lived.

“Will she be mad if I eat most of that cabinet while I’m here?”

“No,” he said. “I’ll make sure Marcia replaces it. It’s for both of them. Or anyone else.”

“Did Stacy decide about the bar yet?”

“She’s taking it in Massachusetts,” he said. “There are a few law firms that she’s talked to and will start interviewing after she takes it. She doesn’t want to worry right now.”

“And you’ll make sure she won’t have to worry about bills or anything else,” she said. “You’re such a good big brother.”

She could mention something to Roark about Stacy but didn’t want to overstep.

He smiled. “They’d do the same for the family if it was them.”

“I bet they would,” she said. “I like how close your family is. It reminds me of mine.”

“I’m just glad your parents liked me,” he said.

“You know damn well they more than liked you,” she said, giving him a playful shove.

She might have found her family’s reaction to her and Warren’s relationship annoying, but she was happy about it too.

Maybe she needed her eyes opened up a bit to what was going on around her.

She got lost in her worlds and had tunnel vision more than she should.

It was a big character flaw of hers.

“Your cat isn’t the only one that got lucky,” he said.

“Nope,” she said. “He wasn’t. I’m sure your sister can do things on her own, but you probably want her close to you, don’t you?”

“I’d like her to be close by. I’d like my mother and Stephanie to be too, but since I never know where I could end up, it’s not fair for them to move.”

“You’ve got two more years left on your contract,” she said. “Do you think you’ll get another one here?”

“I think I can trust you,” he said.

Her eyes popped open. “I’m a little insulted you just said that, considering what you found out about my mother last week.”

“Shit,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’m just so used to keeping things close to my chest.”

Was she so wrong about him?

Maybe he didn’t want her here, and she was ticked that she rushed to come now after her mother made her feel bad about it.

But he said she hadn’t asked. As if he wanted her to.

“I understand why you need to,” she said. “Or want to.”

He reached his hand over and threaded their fingers together. He got some mayo on him and pulled it back to wipe off.

“You’re a piece of work,” he said. “Listen, Emma. Even if your mother went public with who she was, she’d be in the spotlight for a period of time while the world adapted to it. Maybe every time a movie came out based on one of her books, she’d get more press, but it’s not as if people would follow her around everywhere. She might not even be recognized on the street.”