Page 106 of Melting the Ice

“And you’re my best friend too. Let’s face it: Josie has a history of love ’em and leave ’em. You don’t really do casual, and I don’t want to see her break your heart.”

“How about you have some thought for your sister? You immediately jumped down her throat and basically attacked her. And she wasn’t the only one who lied. I did, too.” I raked my hands through my hair. “You know, between your reaction andyour parents never being happy with Josie’s life choices, it’s a lot of shit she shouldn’t have to deal with. Fuck. I shouldn’t even be the one talking to you about this, and hopefully, she won’t be mad at me, but you have to see how amazing that woman is.” I was fired up and didn’t care if I was gushing about her. She deserved to be gushed about.

His shoulders slumped as I glared at him.

“Okay, yes, I was a dick.” He sighed. “Fuck, I know that. It was just a shock walking in here.”

“That doesn’t justify your response. You still overreacted. And I am sorry that you had to hear that.” I tried to sound slightly sheepish. The last thing any sibling wants is to hear their sibling having sex. Even as an only child, I got that.

“I know. And I’ll talk to her. But are you sure? My sister?”

“Yeah, your sister. I’m in love with her. She’s amazing and funny and smart as fuck. She goes after what she wants, and I’m lucky as hell that I’m one of those things she wants.”

“Don’t hate me, but what happens when she wants to pick up and move?” He held his hands up when I grumbled. “Hey, it’s a valid question. She’s not known for sticking in one place for long. And I know she’s amazing, but I also don’t want her to stay here if she doesn’t want to, just for a guy, even when you’re the guy.”

“And Josie and I will discuss that if we need to,” I said, not willing to give too much weight to Ray being right. “And I’d never force her to stay here. We’re in this together, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure she knows that.”

“You’re really serious about this? About her?” He tilted his head to really look at me, and at least he was no longer frowning.

I grinned. “Yeah. Yeah, I fucking am.”

He smiled back at me. “Okay, yeah, I’ll talk to her. I’ll make this right. Just can you not hook up with her when I’m around?”

I laughed as he shuddered.

“I make no promises. She’s very irresistible.”

“Oh, fuck off, man. That’s my sister.”

“And she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

JOSIE

What the hell just happened?

I paced Harper’s condo, grateful that Connor wasn’t home and Harper was at work. If I told her how Ray had reacted, she probably would’ve marched downstairs and kicked my brother’s ass.

Not that my brother didn’t deserve any violence coming his way.

He’d been so awful. So freaking icy that my entire body was still tense twenty minutes after I’d escaped.

And then Micah had stood up for me so perfectly—not that I’d needed it. I was used to how my family viewed me, but I loved having someone on my side for once. He’d never agreed with any doubts Ray had put forth. Of course, following all of that up with telling me that he loved me had sent me into a tailspin that I was not happy about.

Not that I didn’t love him. Holy crap, did I love that man more than anything. But what would happen if I wanted to leave Denver someday? I couldn’t truly hate my brother for voicing something that might’ve been on-brand with me before.

I mean, I didn’t have any plans to leave. I truly loved it here; my jobs were awesome, and Micah was amazing. I felt valued and respected and loved and cherished.

“Ugh,” I grumbled, pushing my hair behind one ear. It was probably a sex-tousled mess. I never should’ve gone down to Micah’s condo. We shouldn’t have gotten carried away when Ray could’ve—and obviously did—come back at any wrong moment.

I paced another length of the living room, and my phone beeped.

It was just a calendar alert that I was due to go pick up Lola, Oscar, and Sheldon. I went to put my phone in my coat pocket, and it beeped again. This time, it was a text.

Micah: I’m so fucking sorry about your brother being a first-class dick.

Micah: I know you have work to do and dogs to walk today.

Micah: Just know that I meant everything I said, and when you’re ready to talk to me, you know where I’ll be.

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