Page 14 of Wild Fires

“People talk, and I don't want anyone saying that there's anything between us. So it's best if we not do the lunch thing together.”

“Fine,” I said, a little surprised by how pissed off that made me.

Before she could say another word, I turned and walked away, forcing myself not to look back even when I reached the diner and rounded the corner to enter through the front door.

“Hi Ryan. Grab a seat and I'll be over to get your order in a sec,” Kim said.

“Thanks,” I muttered, glad for a moment's reprieve because I didn't think I could handle the scrutiny right now.

Kim would be fine. Even if she suspected something, she wouldn't actually say it. Maybe she would ask me if everything was okay, but that would be about the extent of it.

I took a seat at my usual booth, but turned my back to the room, something I never did. My sister would know it meant that I wanted to be left alone. No one else would think anything of it, at least that's what I thought until my oldest brother Elias slid into the booth across from me.

“Uh-oh. What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Wrong answer. So I'll ask again. What is wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong, Eli. I'm just here to eat. I'm starting to get hangry.”

“No, it's more than that.”

“Stop trying to psychoanalyze me and go away.”

“You never sit with your back to the door. Never. Well, not unless you truly want to be left alone.”

“Then if you know that already, why the hell are you bothering me?”

“You don't have to be an ass.”

I scowled at him. I knew I was in a bad mood. I was still trying to figure out what went wrong. Why didn't Gracie want to be seen with me? Most females around here would love to be linked with me. I was a catch. And it wasn't even like that. But dammit, why did she have to make it sound like I would embarrass her or something in public. Who cared what people thought?

Who cared?

I cared.

I'd always cared, so when did that stop?

I froze and quickly grabbed the drink Kim just set down as I was mid-mental monologue. Thankfully she was distracted by the presence of her mate. They were so in love. It was obvious to anyone unlucky enough to be in their presence. And right now, in my foul mood, they were absolutely disgusting.

But seeing them together also made me jealous. I wanted what my brother had.

Not Kim specifically. She was already like another sister to me. I wanted what they shared. I longed for that closeness between them.

Gracie Montgomery popped back into my head just as I took a long sip of my drink.

Inhaling part of it from shock, I started to sputter and spit out the remaining contents in my mouth, showering Eli and Kim just as she leaned down to steal a quick kiss.

They both jumped back, knocking over the table behind them. Everyone in the restaurant turned to see what the commotion was all about, and I was suddenly launched right into the center of attention.

Ed Pierce came over to talk with me as I glared at my brother.

“Don't look at me, bro. This is all your fault.”

He was probably right, but I wasn't willing to admit that just yet. And fortunately, there was no one actually sitting at that table behind him.

“Hey Ryan. I was wondering if you got a chance to go over that proposal we sent over.”

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