Page 88 of It Starts With A No

“You need to sleep.”

“Seth?” Oliver called out from the second floor. “What’s this?” His brother emerged from the hallway and stood at the railing. “What’s Elton …” He took his eyes off his phone and looked down. “Oh. You must be that woman.”

“Clary, Oliver.” Seth shot his youngest brother a stern look. “Oliver, Clary Fiore.”

“Hi,” Oliver said. “Elton said—”

“She’ll be staying in the spare bedroom.”

Clary smiled. “I’ll answer whatever questions you have tomorrow, okay? I’m exhausted. I’ve had a long and bad day.”

Oliver’s head bobbed up and down. “I have just one question,” he said to Seth. “Were you at Movement just now? The group chat is buzzing with news that you brought your fiancée.” His gaze dropped to Seth’s hand on Clary. “How could you get engaged without telling us?”

Clary laughed, a weak, I’m-too-tired-for-this laugh.

“That’s two questions.” Seth let go of Clary and set the bag of food down on the floor. Then, with his hand on her back, he strode toward the stairs. “Yes, I was at Movement with Clary. No, I’m not engaged.”

Oliver stepped back when they got to the top of the stairs. “She’s pretty,” he said encouragingly. “You’re the only person he’s ever brought home.”

Seth closed his eyes, barely managing not to wince.

But Clary beamed at Oliver. She stepped up to his brother and gave his arm a squeeze, then let go and stepped back immediately. “Thank you for being so nice. You’re so sweet. Are you hungry? I brought some food.”

“This is ‘so nice’?” Seth took her hand and dragged her ahead. “I guess Elton set a really low bar.”

“Goodnight, Oliver. You’re my favorite brother.”

Seth frowned at Clary. “Don’t say that to him.”

“What? He was nice, and he said I was pretty.”

Seth rolled his eyes. He opened the door at the end of the hallway. “Stay in your room.”

“Yes, sir.”

He put her suitcase and laptop bag down by the door. “I’m serious, Clary.”

“I promise I won’t open the door to anyone but you.”

He nodded. “There should be towels in the bathroom cabinet. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Okay.”

“Goodnight.”

“Seth.” She leaned against the door. “If Zane and Elton give you a hard time, I wouldn’t mind leaving. Mr. E already arranged a hotel room for me, anyway.”

“I can handle them.”

She bit down on her lips.

Seth brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Get some rest.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

“Goodnight, and remember to lock the door.”

“That isn’t something you should say to house guests.”

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