Page 103 of My Broken Mate

“And you think,” Sean deadpans. “That you would stop mybeautyfrom radiating?”

“I would enhance it!” Joel grins.

Sean just snorts, making us all stare at him in surprise. Gabriel’s expression is priceless. When he isn’t trying to be in control, he actually shows it all on his face. Remy is looking similarly shocked.

Meanwhile, Joel looks completely pleased with himself. I turn my head, pretending to pick something up so I can link Eve without anyone noticing. It would be impolite if they did.He definitely has a rare talent with people.

Eve nods shortly in agreement.

“Dinner is delicious,” Gabriel says.

“Thank you,” Eve smiles and gestures towards me. “Kata and I made it.”

“Oh?” Remy looks at me with a smile. “Obviously, another talent you have.”

“Me? I am utter chaos,” I chuckle. “Your cooking is much better.”

“We should combine our forces once exams are over,” he suggests.

I beam. “Absolutely!”

The others swiftly move on from the talk to something else, and the situation becomes slightly more relaxed. Just Sean’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, his expression the same as always, but his eyes are thoughtful, as if he has just spotted something of interest.

Goddess, I hope I didn’t give anything away.

Chapter thirty-one

Dinner Drama II

*KAT*

“Iam exhausted,” I mutter.

Remy and I have tried to be sly, offering to clean the dishes while our siblings chat and have fun with each other, or whatever they understand as fun. Joel successfully eased the tension by being himself, and Eve was able to lure Gabriel out of his shell. For a first meeting, it wasn’t the worst outcome, but still, pretty stiff all in all.

“Me, too,” Remy mutters. “But I kind of expected it to be like that. Your brother is pretty amazing, though.”

I smile. “Which one?”

“Fair,” he chuckles. “Both are amazing.”

“Honestly, yours aren’t too shabby either. Gabriel’s interaction with Eve was almost silly, and I mean that in a good way. AndSean even took Joel’s jokes with dignity and joked back.” There is a flash of hurt in Remy’s eyes, and I put the towel away. “What’s wrong?” I ask softly.

“Nothing, really,” he sighs. “I am just being weird.”

“You can tell me,” I urge. “I won’t find it weird.”

“It's just… It’s the first time I have seen any of them that way, and I am wondering if this is who they are? And if this is who they truly are, why do I only know one version of them, and why don’t they show me their other sides?” He pauses. “Does any of what I said make sense?”

“It absolutely does,” I say quietly. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think they are doing it on purpose.”

I briefly remember the moment Sean was looking at Remy and me, an expression in his eye I couldn’t quite read. Maybe it’s the same for them. Maybe they don’t know every side of Remy either, and seeing him with me surprised him.

I swallow thickly, realizing I might actually be onto something.

Remy looks at me skeptically. “You think so?”

“Maybe they are just all in their own heads.”