Page 61 of Not In The Contract

“My sister’s birthday is coming up and I didn’t make time for the planning.” She sighed. “We’ll sit together and go over the changes so that you’re aware. No point in emailing you when I could just show you.”

“Right,” I said.

“Alex?”

Alex’s spine stiffened and she spun around, wide eyed and slack jawed. “Jamie.”

20. An Awkward Introduction

Alex

IstaredatDevonas my sister’s footsteps grew close, each echo ringing in my ears like a death knell.

Shit.

Shit, shit,shit!

Devon blinked back at me, unaware of the shitstorm brewing in my head. I’d specifically told her to stay upstairs the first time Jamie dropped by because I knew how Jamie would react. She would be anything but nice to Devon, and I wasn’t sure Devon could take it. She certainly didn’t deserve it. Keeping the pair apart would be the smart, diplomatic thing to do.

But I was out of time, and there was nowhere for me to hide Devon as Jamie rounded the corner, occupied by her phone for just a moment.

“Hey- who the hell is that?”

My stomach dropped.

Jamie stood on the threshold of the kitchen, her eyes locked on Devon’s surprised face.

My chest squeezed tight, anxiety stealing away my breath.

“Jamie,” I said, my eyes bouncing between her and Devon like one of them might magically disappear and save me from whatever was about to happen. “What are you doing here?”

“What, I can’t visit my sister whenever I want?” she sassed, her eyes dangerously pinned to Devon.

Unease crawled into my gut. “Of course you can,” I said. “I just- I wasn’t expecting you. Uh, this is Devon.”

Devon lifted a hand in greeting, her lips pressed into a small grin.

“Devon, this is my younger sister,” I said. “Jamie.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Devon said politely.

Jamie’s lip curled, her dissatisfaction evident. “Are you guys dating or something?”

My hand slipped off the counter, sending my metal spatula clattering noisily to the floor. Jamie’s brows climbed into her hairline and Devon’s startled gaze turned to me as I dove to grab the offending kitchen tool.

“No, we’re not dating,” Devon answered for me.

I shot her an appreciative glance.

Jamie adjusted her large T-shirt, a nervous tic she’d had since we were kids. “You’re here pretty late for someone who isn’t dating my sister,” Jamie quipped, her sharp eyes raking over Devon’s appearance with no small amount of disdain.

Devon’s lips quirked up into a robotic smile. “I’m a PhD student,” Devon explained. “Alex has graciously agreed to help me with my thesis and her schedule is quite tight.”

Jamie’s eyes narrowed and the wild urge to step between them leapt into my throat.

“It’s a week night.” Jamie frowned, her distaste almost palpable. “And what could she possibly helpyouwith?”

“Alex has monumental success to her name,” Devon said, her smile turning saccharine. “The Bell name has acquired the kind of fortune that many find inspirational. I’m here to study how she managed to build an empire out of nothing.”