Page 35 of Scorched

He held up his hands. “I know. I just hope you two know what you’re doing. Relationships between friends can be messy. If it doesn’t work, well, it’s not pretty. It’s a large part of what kept London and me apart so long.”

“Duly noted,” Maggie said. She filled her mug with water and put it in the microwave to heat. “Can we talk about something else, please?” Her love life, or lack thereof, was not something she wanted to discuss before she had her morning caffeine jolt.

“Yep.” Seb looked at Declan. “How soon can you be ready?”

“Five minutes.”

“Good. Go change.”

“I’ll make you some coffee,” Maggie told him.

“Thanks. I’ll be back down in a few.” He left, leaving Maggie alone with Seb.

He stared at her while she put water and coffee grounds in the coffeemaker. She pressed the start button, then turned to look up at him.

“What?”

“What do you mean, what?” he asked.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Just trying to figure you out. You’ve never shown much interest in boys—men,” he quickly amended. “I’m just trying to understand why you’ve set your sights on Declan.”

“Who says I have?”

“Well, your cheeks are red again and neither of you denied it.” He narrowed his eyes. “Do I need to get my shotgun?”

Maggie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “You mean like you did with Tara?” Seb had been overjoyed at their sister’s pregnancy.

“That’s different.”

“Not really. And I’ve known Declan a lot longer than she’s known Jace.”

“Which is what makes it different.”

She glared up at him. “You’re annoying, you know that?”

He grinned at her. “Yep.”

Maggie smiled back. “At least you’re honest. And while it drives me crazy that you want to butt into my life, I am thankful you care. You’re an awesome big brother, and I love you.”

He mussed her hair. “I love you too. Just be careful, is all I’m saying. I don’t want to see either of you with a broken heart.”

“We will be. If we can ever figure this out. I’m not even sure where we stand. I just know he makes me want what I’ve never wanted before.”

“Damn. You really are all grown up. I feel old.”

She laughed. “Wait till you and London have kids. I’m told that’s when you really start to feel old.”

“That might not be all that far off for you, you know.”

She held out a hand. “Hold the phone. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to go on an actual date first. Plus,” she pointed a finger at him. “I’m still eleven years younger than you. And don’t think I’ve forgotten you turn forty in January. We’ve already started planning that birthday bash.”

The coffeepot gurgled out the last of its coffee, and she reached for a travel mug.

“Who’s we?”

Maggie gave him an evil grin.

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