Page 24 of Never Kiss and Tell

I let out a sigh of relief and Lionel holds out his hand, shaking mine.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, baby girl.”

Andi rolls her eyes. “Is my brother in?”

Lionel nods toward the back door. “Step inside my office, sweet cheeks.”

I follow Andi and Lionel, who leads us through a large and busy kitchen, full of delicious-smelling food and cooks to a shut door to the right.

Andi tries the handle, but when it’s locked, she pounds her manicured fist hard on the wood.

While I wait, a man at the far side of the kitchen turns around and smiles deviously at me. The way his dark eyes flash creeps me out, but I know I’m probably just overreacting because I haven’t ventured out of my doomsday shelter of a room at home in what seems like fifteen years.

“Let me in!” Andi snaps, pounding the door harder.

The door pops open and Charlie stands there, his face red from the heat of the kitchen. His eyes fall on her, dark and pissed off, then, to my dismay, on me. I look away.

“In. Family meeting. Bailey, you too,” Andi snaps when I try to sneak back toward the back door.

I step back to the office, having to hunch underneath Charlie’s arm who makes no attempt to move out of my way. The office is small, and filled with the three of us, it’s even smaller. Charlie takes up the majority of the room, sinking into a chair behind the desk and leaning back, his boots resting on the table.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he smirks.

“Are you back with Priscilla?” Andi demands, placing her palm flat on the desk in front of him and the other on her hip.

Charlie looks past Andi to me and he runs his tongue over his teeth.

“So, my new neighbor’s been spreading rumors about me, then?”

I shake my head, opening my mouth, but Andi cuts me off.

“Don’t blame her. She didn’t know.”

“Remind me to never tell you where I keep my valuables,” Charlie says darkly, his eyes burning through mine. A bead of sweat rolls down his cheek and I don’t know if it’s the heat getting to me or the tension in the room, but something stirs in my core.

“Stay away from her,” Andi demands. “She’s nothing but a stuck-up brat and she will ruin you.”

“You brought her here.”

Andi smacks Charlie’s arm, huffing. “I mean it, Charlie. No Priscilla. I’m not bailing you out of jail when you catch her cheating on you, again.”

I bite my tongue. Andi hadn’t told me about that. It seems Mr. Coulter has more than one demon in his closet.

“Get out,” Charlie replies, his voice suddenly icy cold.

“With pleasure.”

She turns to leave as the door opens again, and Andi’s Dad walks though. His eyes light up when he sees me. “Bailey! I’m glad you’re here.” He pulls me into a tight, dad-hug and I think one of my lungs might pop out. “How is the house? Is everything up to par.”

I nod. “It’s perfect. Thank you for letting me stay.”

He waves a hand. “Nonsense. Andi could use some help with the planning. It’s hard to believe it’s just over a month away.”

Charlie stands from the desk, stalking past us and out the door. He doesn’t look at me, but I can tell he’s pissed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought a dozen women home tonight, justto get back at me.

One of these days, I’ll learn to think before I speak.

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