Page 21 of Taking a King

Van shrugs, not meeting my gaze. “I just like messing with Ronan.”

I smile as we walk back into the main dining room. “You’re a big softy.”

He rolls his eyes. “I just figured you’re a grown woman who’s a good judge of character. I trust you to make your own decisions. Besides, you look happy.”

“Thanks, Van,” I say, wrapping an arm around him in a hug. “You’re a good brother.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters, squeezing my shoulders.

“Seriously,” I say. “You’re going to make some woman very happy someday.” I lean up to plant a loud kiss on his cheek. “But she won’t be nearly good enough for you.”

“Hey!” Quinn calls out. “We’re sitting right here.”

Hope and Hannah are seated on either side of her wearing matching looks of outrage. “Unless she’s as amazing as these three,” I say quickly. “I have high standards for the women my brothers love.”

The women in question give me an approving nod at my addendum, making me laugh.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Van says in a dry tone. He walks over to the bar for a beer. I follow him with my eyes, wondering at his somber mood lately. He’s always been more reserved than Wyatt, but lately I feel like something might be bothering him. I make a mental note to talk to him another time, when we can have a moment of privacy. I’m probably just imagining things. I grab a drink at the bar and walk over to join the ladies who are knee-deep in talk of weddings and babies.

Chapter Eleven

Garrett

King family dinner, I muse. I’m surprised I’m here. I’m more surprised that it was Ronan who called to invite me. Especially after last night. I hadn’t thought he’d forgive me quite so soon. In fact, I wasn’t sure he’d forgive me at all. Hooking up with your best friend’s sister is a major violation in the code. Granted, we hadn’t actually hooked up until after he’d tried to arrest me last night. But the intent was there. Still is. I look over to where Claire sits with the other ladies. She’s laughing at something Quinn just said, her eyes crinkled at the corners and her mouth wide and smiling. Her red hair catches the light, making it stand out.

I can’t help but stare at her. How had I waited so long? Ronan walks in front of me, blocking my view of Claire. I meet his gaze. Right. That’s why.

“Grab a drink and come out back with me,” he says before walking toward one of the doors leading out onto the deck. I can tell it’s not an invitation.

I sigh and make my way over to the bar where Wyatt and Van are sitting. Wyatt hands me a beer and I thank him.

“Good luck,” he says good-naturedly.

“Thanks.” I smile. “I might need it.”

I walk out onto the darkened back deck where Ronan stands at the railing. He’s facing the water, though it’s too dark to see much. I can hear it lapping against the dock below. The sound mixes with that of the breeze and boat hulls scraping against pilings. I inhale the salty ocean air and smile. I can see why Ronan loves it here. Why he came back after. It’s peaceful. I make my way over to the railing to stand beside my best friend.

Ronan cuts his eyes at me. "Young."

I raise my beer in a mock toast. "King."

"Good of you to show up."

I ignore the harsh tone and shoot him a friendly smile. "Nice of you to invite me."

Ronan shrugs one shoulder and turns back to face the building. The light spilling through the windows illuminates his face enough for me to see that he’s not smiling.

"You can thank Quinn."

Typical Ronan. He rarely shows emotion. I'm not surprised he isn't welcoming me with open arms. I'm surprised he called to invite me at all. I follow his gaze to see Quinn standing near the piano where Claire sits with Liam. I can tell Claire’s pretending not to watch my interaction with Ronan, but the concern in her eyes is obvious, even as she’s focusing on Liam.

I can't help but smile at the idea of her worrying about me. But I don't think Ronan is going to try anything tonight. Not at a family dinner with his nephew and pregnant fiancé here. Besides that, he's always been an honest man. He wouldn't have invited me here under false pretenses. I look back at the man who's been my closest friend for nearly a decade. I try to think about the situation from his perspective. Finding out his best friend and his baby sister have been having a secret relationship for months can't be easy. I don’t have a sister, but I can’t imagine my own reaction would have been better than his.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I say. "It was never our plan to lie to you."

Ronan nods and takes a sip from his beer. "I believe you. I don't think either of you set out to hurt anyone. I'm not going to lie and say I understand this thing between you and my sister. I don't. And I still don't know how I feel about it."

He lets out a sigh. "But, you're still my best friend. My brother. And I know you're a good man. I just hope you're good for her."

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