“I think Ellie kind of has a radar for fun,” Tori said.
Ellie looked over and gave Tori a little wink and blew her a kiss.That warmed Tori to her toes.In a different way than Josh did, of course, but dang there was something about these Landrys that made her just…happy.She’d been a little stunned by how Josh’s family had embraced her and pulled her into their fold, but she was already eager to experience it again.But she couldn’t leave Andrew, and she didn’t think her friend would want to join the Landry clan.
Josh looked over and their eyes met, and when she grinned at him, something in his expression became instantly hot and possessive.And yeah, that definitely warmed her.For just a second she thought he was going to get up and come over.But then someone else walked in.
Tori’s smile got even bigger.This was highly entertaining.Right up there with the cemetery.“And that’s Josh’s sister,” she said to Andrew.
Andrew looked over and took a moment to study Kennedy.Which is what any straight guy with a pulse would do.She was not only gorgeous, but she carried herself with a way that said, “You can look, but you can’t handle this.”Her hair, her piercings, her tattoos, her clothes, her…everything…was as opposite from Paisley Darbonne as someone could get.
“Um, wow,” was all Andrew came up with as he turned back to Tori.
Tori gave a soft chuckle.That pretty much summed it up.“Josh’s family is very…involved in each other’s lives.And…”
“Loud and obnoxious?”Andrew asked.
Tori gave him a frown.She didn’t know them well, but she felt defensive of his insult of them.“Boisterous, but fun.And loving.”
“You’re definitely getting in deep here, Tori,” Andrew said.“Just slow down a little.Be careful.”
“I don’t need to becareful,Andrew.They’re wonderful.And I’m not stupid.”
“Of course you’re not.But they’re…new.And, sure, fun.I get the appeal.Like Cajun food.It’s great.In small amounts.But it’s spicy and different.Do you really want that all the time, every day?”
Tori shook her head.“Don’tyoulike Cajun food?”She knew they weren’t talking about the unique blend of unusual meats and spices that were an integral part of Louisiana cuisine.
“Sure.Sometimes.”
“Well, I have Josh taking care of me now,” she said with a smile.“He finds me adorable.His word.And I know that he’d have my back if I did something that other people thought was weird or something.”
“Seems like he’s the one doing weird things,” Andrew said, almost in a mutter.
She laughed.Andrew had not enjoyed the museums or cemetery today.“He’s different.And I love that.He makes me feel comfortable and accepted and…special.”
Andrew’s scowl deepened and Tori frowned in response.Shouldn’t Andrew begladabout all of that?
“You’re in love with him?”Andrew asked flatly.
The question hit her directly in the chest and she took a quick little breath.“Um…well…” The answer was clear though.And this was Andrew.He was hurt that she hadn’t told him about Josh before.So now was a good time to confide in him.“I think I’m falling in love with him,” she said honestly.
Andrew blew out a breath.
“What?”She leaned in.“You’re not happy for me?”
Andrew looked at her, affection clear in his eyes.“I’m worried.”
“You really don’t like Josh?”
“It’s not Josh I’m worried about, exactly.”Andrew shifted on the barstool, also leaning in.“I just think you’re…doing your thing.”
“My thing?”But she knew what he meant and her stomach dropped.Hell, she’d just told Josh all about “her thing.”She sighed.“Okay, you’re worried this is Valentine’s Day 2006 again.”He’d even mentioned it last night.
Andrew gave her an indulgent smile.“You could have just passed him a note or said, ‘Hey, Marcus, want to go out sometime?’”
“Yeah.”Of course he had a point there.It was the same point he’d made back then too.“But Josh is different.”
“When the guys with the kittens were going to dump them, you could have justaskedfor the kittens.Or offered them ten bucks.I’m sure they would have taken it.”
She sighed.“Fine.Okay.”