Page 33 of One More Time

“I wasn’t going to order from Fireweed Winery even though it’s the best pizza in town, and I’m not just being biased. But I don’t want to waste money on so-so pizza. The only other place is the grocery store deli, which is good in a pinch, but that’s about it.”

“Is there a problem with ordering from the winery?”

She gestured for me to sit on one of the stools by her kitchen island. “Not really. It’s just if the delivery driver feels like gossiping, they might mention to someone in the family that you were here tonight.”

I chuckled. “Ah, the unintended consequences of living in a small town.”

“And having a nosy family and too many siblings.”

I mentally counted. “There are seven of you?”

McKenna’s lips twisted to the side in a lopsided grin, but something dark flickered in her eyes. “There are seven of us, and I’m the youngest and the only girl.” She paused, a mix of emotions crossing her face before she added, “Our oldest brother Jake died from alcohol poisoning in college.”

“Oh. I’m really sorry.” Those words felt inadequate, but that was all there was to say.

“Thank you. You’ll hear about it around town. Gossip is a thing in small towns, and Fireweed Harbor is no exception. I try to ignore it most of the time, but I know there are rumors about our family.”

I nodded after a beat. “I can imagine. Aside from the usual small-town chatter, you all own an international corporation. I heard someone describe your family as Fireweed Harbor royalty.”

McKenna rolled her eyes at that. “Trust me, we’re not royalty. Unless you count the messy family history.” She didn’t seem to want to talk further.

“Is there any family that isn’t messy?” I commented lightly.

Her expression was soft as she looked at me. “I suppose not. But when it’s yours, it feels so big.”

“Absolutely.”

“How many siblings do you have, if any?”

She couldn’t have known just how loaded that question was. I had practice with keeping my emotions in check. “Just one. My brother.”

“Older or younger?”

“Derek’s older.” I took a breath, steeling myself. “By one year. We’ve always been close. I’m in a hurry to buy my own place because my brother is sick. He has nonsmoker’s lung cancer from exposure to radon gas. He’s dying. He’s had three rounds of treatment and doesn’t want to go through another.”

McKenna’s hand flew to her chest just as she began to open the refrigerator. She turned back to face me. “Oh no! I am so sorry.”

I ignored the stinging sensation in my heart and swallowed through the knot aching in my throat as I took in a slow, careful breath. “Thank you. He’s coming up here as soon as he can. We have family in Diamond Creek and have visited over the years. We’ve both always loved Alaska. When I took this job, and he found out the cancer was back, he asked if he could come stay with me. I want to fix it, and I can’t.”

McKenna looked at me quietly. “I can imagine. You seem like a fix-it kind of guy.” Her words were soft and understanding.

“I can’t fix this, and I hate it. I imagine you would do the same for one of your brothers.”

She nodded without hesitation. “If there’s anything I can do—” Her words cut off abruptly before she pursed her lips. “I like to fix things too, and there’s really nothing I can do to fix this, but I’ll help if you need anything.”

“I appreciate that. You know what it’s like to lose a brother.”

Something flickered in her gaze, something like sadness. It felt as if she wanted to say more. At that moment, the doorbell rang, the sound snapping through the moment. McKenna practically jumped out of her skin at the sound. She blinked. “I’ll get that.”

I reached for my wallet, only to discover it wasn’t even in my pocket. “I can cover it,” I offered as I stood. My wallet had to have fallen onto the sofa in the midst of our heated encounter when I was fumbling for a condom.

She waved me away and walked briskly toward the front door. “Family gets a deal for pizza.”

Moments later, the pizza was spread out on the counter, and McKenna sat across from me. I shouldn’t have been distracted by the sight of her eating. She was just eating. But I happened to look up right after she finished a slice of pizza. She swallowed, and her tongue darted out to the corner of her mouth before she dabbed at her lips with a napkin.

My nerves sizzled with fire. Fuck me.

Beyond the burning need I felt when I was with her, I found the more time I spent with McKenna, the more I liked her. It was easy to talk with her. I’d surprised myself by telling her about my brother.

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