Page 121 of The Baby Bargain
Forest rolls his eyes. "This man has a name?"
"Yeah, his name, hmm… it's None of Your Business," I say.
Skye laughs.
Forest does too.
Shit, they're laughing at me. They exchange this look.Isn't Ariel precious?
Okay, it's mostly my brother. But still. Talk about a lack of female solidarity.
"That would be cute if you were fourteen," he says.
"As would the over-protective brother routine," I say.
He looks at me funny. "A question is over-protective?"
I slide my bag onto my shoulder. Move past them. Reach for the open door. "It's, um—"
"Are you being safe?" he asks.
"Of course." Not in the way he means. But I am being safe.
He turns to Skye. They exchange one of those best friend looks that I can't begin to comprehend.
He turns to me. "He treats you well?"
"Very," I say.
"And this has been going on for…" He raises a brow.
Skye clears her throat. "Maybe your sister doesn't want to share the details of her sex life."
"Maybe she's hiding something," he says.
Skye shakes her headI don't think so.
He nodsyeah, I think so. "Someone I know?"
"Hmm… How about… Still None of Your Business," I say.
He just laughs. "Be careful, Ariel."
"I'm careful," I say.
"Don't make it more than it is," he says.
I clear my throat. "Goodbye, Forest."
He ignores my clear request to end the conversation. "You're spending the night."
"I was tired after our vigorous sex," I say.
He chucklesokay, sure.
Ahem. "I'm a very skilled and athletic lover." Why am I arguing about this with my brother? And why am I trying to sell that story? I take walks, sure, but I don't exactly work out. And I certainly wasn't the one doing the work last night.
"It's true. Remember when we took that pole dancing class together." Skye laughs. "Ariel was a natural."
