Page 269 of Remy

“Mmm.” He nods. “Spoke to her and got invited inside for iced tea, apparently.”

My brows knit. “You’re lying.”

“I’d never lie to you.” He nuzzles his nose against mine and kisses me, sweet and soft, only to pull away with a growl at the sound of a kiddie giggle. “I guess I should introduce you to the gremlin.” He entwines his hand with mine. “Tilly, come meet my Ollie.”

My Ollie.

The heartbroken organ inside my chest heals itself a little.

The sweet girl runs along the sofa, plops down at the closest end, and peers up at me with shy eyes.

“Say ‘hi,’ Til.” Abri approaches her daughter.

“Hi.” The girl shrinks into her tiny shoulders, her long, dark lashes framing beautiful blue eyes.

“Hi, Tilly.” I smile. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Don’t be fooled by her timid act. Once she gets to know you she’ll cling like super glue.” Abri places her mug on the sofa side table and continues toward us. “We haven’t formally met, but I am this smitten man’s older and wiser sister.” She scowls at her brother. “Release her so I can get a hug.”

Remy sighs with exaggeration. “Fine. I’ll make Ollie breakfast.” His hand skims my lower back as he walks around me to the kitchen.

A second later I’m engulfed in the beautiful woman’s arms.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Olivia.”

The pity pokes at my grief, but the hug is warm and inviting. A genuine embrace full of solace and loving energy.

I hug her back, surprisingly soothed by her presence. “Thank you for yesterday,” I whisper.

“You might want to retract that statement after you spend months retrieving Tupperware from the wrong cupboards in your catering kitchen.” She releases me and retreats. “But I promise Layla and I tried our best.” She turns to reclaim her mug from the side table, then saunters away. “Come sit with me at the dining table.”

I glance from her to Remy, who stands at a Keurig machine, a subtle frown marring his brow.

“Don’t scare her away, Abri,” he warns. “She’s been through enough.”

“Pfft.” His sister waves a dismissive hand as she reaches the glass table with its orchid centerpiece. She pulls out a chair for me before moving to sit on the one beside it. “I think you did enough scaring away for all of us. What could I do that you haven’t already mastered?”

I fight a chuckle.

I love these two together. They’re light and fun. A far contrast from when Remy and Salvatore are in close proximity.

“So tell me all the gossip.” Abri palms her mug and takes a sip of the steaming liquid. “I’ve heard my brother’s side of things for months, but I’ve been going insane waiting for the second half of this telenovela.”

I blink at her in confusion.

“I’ll call security, Abri.” Remy growls. “Don’t think I won’t.”

“You threatened me with that yesterday, and I still tidied your apartment. I’m starting to regret my efforts.”

“You tidied up?” I ask, wanting to double back to the whole second-half-telenovela conversation, but this is a far safer option.

She nods. “You should’ve seen this place. It was a mess. There were empty liquor bottles and take-out food containers everywhere. Now it’s a shrine in comparison.”

A pang of guilt twists my gut. What exactly has Remy been going through?

As if called by my thoughts, he walks over and places a coffee down in front of me. “Strong, cream, one sugar.”

My confusion increases. “How do you?—”

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