Page 36 of The Dating Pact

Aiden’s expression became distrustful.

Uncomfortable with the way my oldest brother was looking at me, I shifted from one foot to another, hating that he saw me as someone who needed protecting. “The guy’s an accountant, for goodness’ sake. You don’t get much safer than that.”

“You’d be surprised by how many white-collar criminals there are out there,” Aiden said.

I cracked a smile. “Good thing I don’t have any money to steal. Don’t worry. I’ll be safe. The girls know where I’m going.”

“Then perhaps we should too.” Ben walked over to my side. “Where is this date? What time?”

Oh no. I remembered what happened last time. “No way am I telling you. I don’t need any of you showing up with your big grumpy faces, trying to scare the poor guy off. The girls will rescue me if I get in trouble.”

Quinn held up a knitting needle and made a quick stabbing motion. “It’s surprising how sharp these things are. Anything can become a weapon in a pinch.”

Whoa.I swallowed hard.Remember not to get on her bad side.

“And on that cheerful note, we should get going.” Ben made his way over to the front door, a slice of pizza magically in his hand. “Come along, gentlemen. Let’s not bother the womenfolk any longer.”

“You’re the one who told me to check up on them in the first place,” Aiden grumbled. He gave the living room one final sweep before leaving.

“Thanks for the dinner.” Sam reached out to take the slice from Ben, who pulled his hand away just in time.

“No pizza,” Ben said with a straight face. “Your wife won’t let us hang out if you don’t follow the rules.”

“You have a teeny bit of heart trouble, and all of a sudden, everyone’s a doctor,” Sam muttered. “Goodnight, ladies!”

Now the only guy left in the room, Wyatt gave me a smile that did all sorts of strange things to my stomach. “Enjoy your date, Everly.”

My chest tightened, and my face heated. “Thanks.”

I turned to see Joy, Indie, and Quinn sitting on the couch, knitting needles in motion, none of them looking up.

It was too quiet: the calm before the storm.

“This silence feels ominous,” I said.

Indie put down her knitting needles, her eyes glowing with mischief. “We were just waiting for the guys to leave so we could play the music again. Simi, play girl-power dance music.” The music started again, and Indie held out her hands. “Come on, ladies!”

With a laugh, I took her hand in mine, and we danced, knitted, sewed, and ate the night away.