Page 41 of On a Fault Line

His tall body fills the frame. If he wasn’t my brother, I would definitely be intimidated. But deep down, he is one giant softie for those he loves.

“It’s not eavesdropping if it is my own place. Anyway, can I interest any of you in a drink?” When none of us take him up on his offer, he sighs. “Nic is on a call at the moment but he insists on you having some water, Claire.”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course he does.”

“I figured if everyone around you has a beverage, you’d be more inclined to follow suit. Otherwise I’ll have to deal with”—he points behind him—“that madman.”

Claire lets out an exaggerated exhale. “Fine.”

Graham walks down the hallway and after a couple of minutes returns holding a glass of ice water, which he hands politely to Claire. “Drink.”

“Sweetheart?” He leans down to press a kiss to Angie’s temple. “You sure you don’t want anything?”

She smiles up at him. “I’m good.”

“That you are.”

I shake my head at the deliriously happy couple. Will I ever find someone that adores me like Graham does Angie? What about how Nic and Claire fit perfectly together as if they were created with the other in mind?

What I have with Collins is temporary…

And he’s proven it today with how easily he can shut me out if he’s determined.

I should heed this little warning and protect my heart.

8

PENNY

When Graham exits the spare room, Claire jumps right back into what we were talking about prior to the interruption. “Here’s how you live your best life. You do what makes you happy and screw the rest of the world. Well, not literally screwing the world. I mean, unless that’s your thing, then no judgment.”

“Okay, I rarely say this,” Angie chimes in, “but Claire is right.”

“Hold up,” Claire interrupts. “Let me savor this moment.”

Ignoring her best friend, Angie continues. “You need to show this guy what he’s missing out on. Just be yourself and start having fun. Life is just one big trial-and-error experiment. You’ll find your stride and then he’ll either step up to the plate or you’ll just attract someone even better. Either way, you will have won.”

I nod, allowing their ideas to marinate in my head. “My brothers are hella lucky to have you both.”

Their faces break into smiles. “One hundred percent,” they say in unison, causing each other to laugh.

“You know what we need to do?” Claire says, trying to roll off the bed.

I get up and help her. The last thing she needs is to fall down. “And what is that?”

“Let’s go shopping in the Pearl District and then grab lunch. We all could use some sexy clothes to add to our wardrobe, am I right? And there’s this new naughty shop that just opened.”

“The controversial one that caused people to protest out in front of it?” Angie asks.

“That’s the one!” Claire chants.

“Oh boy,” I mutter. I’m not even familiar with this shop, but it sounds edgy enough to possibly do the trick.

“And we can shop for something to wear to the stripper show thing that your roommate does.”

“Lovely,” I say with a laugh. “I’m sure this will go over well with my brothers.”

Claire thinks about my comment for a few seconds. “We won’t tell them.”

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