Page 53 of Trust Me With Forever

Aunt Lori:He misses you, you know. But don’t tell him I said that.

Me (typed but deleted):I wish we could at least be civil again, if not friends. But I’m not hopeful.

Me (actual reply instead):We’ll see what happens. Now, I have to get back to work. Enjoy your day.

Aunt Lori:Hmm. Bye. For now. But you’ll hear from me again soon. I need to learn about your favorites, so we can invite you to dinner and spoil you.

Three days later, I tried to concentrate on the branding and website designs on my computer screen. And even though I had to pick something by the end of the day or risk a delay, I kept thinking about Abby’s behavior this morning.

Like yesterday, she’d been a little more distant—teasing me less, trying to keep the conversation to work and world events, and scurrying away the one time I’d tried to kiss her again.

After so many years of keeping people at arm’s length, it was hard to get a glimpse of closeness and then have it ripped away again.

But this is what you agreed to.

True. But I hadn’t expected to want to know everything about Abby so quickly, to enjoy teasing her, and maybe want to woo her for real.

With a sigh, I ran a hand over my hair and tried to concentrate on the designs again. But I’d barely scrolled a few inches before a familiar voice reached my ears.

The growly voice of my brother-in-law, Weston Wolfe.

“What did you do to my sister?”

Frowning, I glanced up. At West’s thunderous expression, I raised my brows, refusing to be intimidated. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

He strode in. “Abby’s withdrawn, more so than normal. What the hell did you do to her? I warned you what would happen if you hurt her.”

I rose slowly and couldn’t resist poking the bear a little. “I made her breakfast a couple of times. Maybe the food didn’t settle right?”

“Why you…”

He stalked around the desk. But even with my knee still healing, I was quicker than West’s big, stocky form.

I stopped at the other side of the desk and turned to face him. My knee throbbed, and I wouldn’t be able to run or fight. So I decided what the hell, and blurted, “I don’t know what’s wrong with her, West. And that’s the truth. She’s withdrawn from me too, and I’ve been trying to figure out why.”

He blinked, obviously not expecting honesty from me.

While I could bark for him to get out, or maybe ask Mark to convince West to leave, an idea sparked. We were each married to the other’s sister, and we needed to find a way to get along.

And while I could probably figure out Abby eventually, I was impatient and could use any help I could get.

I gestured toward the chair and couch on the far side of my office. “How about we sit and talk? We both care about Abby and want to make her happy. Why not work together on this?” He studied me and I added, “We don’t need to become best friends, but for fuck’s sake, we can have a few civil and honest conversations. Besides, you know I can keep secrets. Your brothers still don’t know that it was you who wrecked your dad’s motorbike when we were kids.”

West’s lips twitched. “I’d forgotten about that.” As if realizing I was still there, he frowned and grunted. “Fine.”

He sat on the sofa, and I took the chair. Next to me was a mini-fridge full of soda, iced tea, and water. I took out a water and raised my brows at West. He muttered, “Coke.”

I handed him a can and after we both sipped our drinks, I decided to get the ball rolling. I was desperate to get the teasing version of Abby back from a few days ago. “Sometimes she seems happy, and other times, it’s as if she’s a million miles away. And before you ask, we didn’t fight or anything.”

West sighed. “She’s been like this ever since I returned to Starry Hills last year. Something happened during her student teaching internship, something that devastated her. But I don’t know much beyond that. And yes, Emmy does, but she won’t share it.” He peered at me closely. “Do you know?”

“Some, but I won’t share her secrets, West. So don’t ask.”

For a few seconds, he stared at me. Then he nodded. “Good. She could use someone at her back.”

“What do you mean?”

He shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. For a few minutes, I’d forgotten about our strained relationship and all the years I’d been away. At one time, West had been like a brother to me, and we’d shared nearly everything with one another.

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