Page 61 of Someone to Tempt
“Yeah, well, maybe we should talk about me seeing him at the rodeo with another woman. What the hell, Iris?”
He places a plate with four perfect triangles of the grilled cheese sandwich in front of me, then turns around and opens the refrigerator to grab a bottle of Dijon mustard. My throat constricts with emotion when he sets it next to my plate. I’ve always loved dipping any sandwich in mustard, which most people think is gross. Maybe it is, but my brother remembered that I like it.
I squeeze a generous dollop onto my plate, dunk one corner, and then take a big bite. “God, you missed your calling,” I whisper. “It still isn’t any of your business, but I asked Jake to take out the woman he was with tonight.”
“Why would you do that if you have feelings for him?”
My heart squeezes. “I don’t have feelings for him. Like you said, Jake doesn’t do relationships. I’d be a fool to fall for him.”
My brother takes a sip of tea and then adds another spoonful of honey. “You aren’t a fool, but I swear I’ll beat the shit out of Jake Byrne if he hurts you.”
“I’m not going to let him hurt me.”Liar, my heart screams.Because it doesn’t mean he couldn’t. Or that I haven’t already let him close enough to try.
“I hope not.”
“Besides, you don’t need to fight my battles, especially against your best friend.”
“Jake and I aren’t about to start braiding each other’s hair, Sis. But speaking of battles, some tool bag at the rodeo was bragging to his loser entourage about kicking your ass in the upcoming election. You texted that the election is just a formality. You’re running unopposed.”
I take another bite, then lick a tendril of cheese off my finger. “You really are checking up on me. That tool is Homer Moore’s nephew.”
“Jesus Christ, Iris.” He drops his mug to the table, dark liquid splashing over the rim. “You’re a glutton for punishment. First Jake, and then you want to dredge up the scandal that ran you out of town in the first place.”
“It wasn’t my scandal.”
“Do you think anybody cares? You’re her daughter.”
“I’m nothing like her.”Liar.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt or watch your perfect reputation torn to shreds in an election. You have a history here, whether you like it or not. If Homer Moore’s nephew is going to the trouble of running against you, he’ll use it.”
I cross my arms over my chest, hating the truth in his words. But they aren’t the whole truth. “Mom wasn’t the only one who caused trouble here.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “Do you want me to leave? No one but you and Jake even know I’ve been here. It can be one more secret to bond the two of you.”
Instead of reacting, I force myself to take a slow, steadying breath and then meet his eyes, several shades darker than mine. “I don’t want you to leave, and I’m sick of secrets. I want to get to know you again, Nick. Please stay. I promise I know what I’m doing.”
“You always do, Iris,” he says after a long moment.
I stand and walk around the table, wrapping my arms around him. “Not always. But when it comes to you and me, I know I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Sis. Now sit down and finish your sandwich.” He squeezes me tight. “The past can’t be changed, Iris, but it’s a hell of a teacher.”
“We’ve both had some hard lessons. It’s time for something better.” I just hope I’ve learned enough to move on without my past defining me.
23
JAKE
The following morning,a round of loud knocking wrenches my attention from the screen in front of me, and I open the door of the garage apartment to find Iris glaring at me from the other side.
“What a lovely Sunday surprise.” My heart flings against my ribcage like an exuberant puppy begging for attention from its favorite human.
She crosses her arms over her chest as if she senses my pleasure and wants nothing to do with it. “We need to talk.”
I offer a broad smile, ignoring her tight frown and the fact that she’s shooting daggers at me. “Did you jog all the way here? That’s six miles one way. Impressive.”
“I didn’t want anyone to see my car.” The blue sky and bright sun overhead take the edge off the crisp air of another perfect Colorado fall morning.
