Page 152 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“What’s the big idea meddling in my personal life?” she asked. “You had no right setting Jared and I up like that. Do you have any idea the anguish you put him through? He was tormented about that stupid guy code that says a guy isn’t supposed to touch his friend’s sister.”

“What?” Cameron asked and looked at Jared who nodded. “That only applies until such time as the brother gives his consent. I sent you cross-country with my baby sister, you dunce. You needed more consent than that?”

Jared shrugged.

“And what about me?” Cat asked. “You knew I wanted to be on my own to prove my independence, but you just couldn’t let me be, could you? No, you had to send this big galoot with me.”

“It’s only because I care,” Cameron protested. “After the big dumb jerk hurt you so bad, I wanted you to have the best guy I know.”

“I know,” Cat said. This time when she stepped in close, Cameron ducked but she pulled him into a big hug instead. “He’s the best thing you’ve ever done for me. Thanks, big brother.”

Cameron eyed his sister warily, as if looking for another stomp to his instep. But she just kissed his cheek and squeezed him harder.

“You love him, too?” Cameron grinned from ear to ear. “I knew it. I knew if you two were alone together for a couple of days, you’d fall for each other. Jeez, I am good at this. Maybe I should start a new business. A sideline...Fix Ups by Cameron. Or no, better yet, A Match Made by Cameron. What do you think?”

But Cat and Jared weren’t listening. Jared took her hand and led her away from the others. He hadn’t quite gotten his fill of her yet. He doubted he ever would.

“I love you,” he said and scooped her up in a fierce bear hug.

“I never doubted that you did,” she whispered in his ear.

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It really didn’t matterwhether she believed him or not, Jared thought, for he intended to spend the next sixty to seventy years letting her know just how very much he loved her. And as his lips covered hers, Jared knew that now they’d found one another, neither of them would ever be lost again.