Page 32 of The Love Ambush
“Stop being dramatic and calm down,” Brodie says. “With a little bit of saving and hard work, you’re all going to be fine. Sophie can get a job, maybe you can babysit, but honestly, I think you’re all just used to a certain level of spending that’s unnecessary and wasteful.”
“We aren’t wasteful,” Emily says, fully insulted. “We buy most of our clothes from the thrift store.”
“That’s great. It’s not like you’re going to starve, Em. I know you don’t understand this now, but someday you’re going to get married, and you’re going to want to give all your attention, time, and money to your spouse and whatever family you decide to have.”
Emily takes three deep breaths, just like I’ve seen Gentry do, usually when she’s fed up with me. “What’s Daphne like, anyway? I can’t wait to meet her.”
And just like that, Brodie’s fully back in the conversation and telling Emily all about his fiancée. It’s clear he’s head over heels for her, something I never thought I’d see from him. Brodie once told me humans aren’t meant to be monogamous, and he was determined to sleep with one hundred women before he turned fifty.
Gentry stirs just as we near the summit of yet another mountain.
She gasps and pushes herself off my chest, swiping at her face. “Oh, my God, Levi. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not,” I say. She’s adorable with her eyes still sleepy, her cheek red from where it was pressed against my chest, her hair mussed.
Her brow creases in confusion for a moment before her eyes widen. She rubs my chest. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I drooled on you.”
I look down to see the tiniest circle of dampness on my sweatshirt and shrug. “It’ll dry.” I wish I could pull her backagainst me and hug away her embarrassment. Maybe tease her about it until we’re both laughing. Maybe kiss her warm lips and tangle my fingers in her messy hair.
Unfortunately, that’s not the relationship I have with Gentry.
“This is so embarrassing. I bet you can’t wait to get away from me…” She flushes all the way to the tips of her ears. “I mean us.”
I grab her closest hand in mine and give it a squeeze because I can’t help but touch her. “Gentry. Stop. I’ve loved getting to spend time with you and your sisters. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”
She goes still, her expression confused and upset, before she gently pulls her hand from mine. “You have to stop flirting with me, Levi. I—” She glances away and gasps. “Oh, wow. Look at that view.”
Brodie begins the descent into a picturesque valley that, judging by how long we’ve been in this vehicle, has to be the valley town of Yuletide. There’s a light dusting of snow on the ground even this early in the season. It covers the houses and roads in a pretty white frosting, and the sun is setting with a pink glow in the west.
“That’s Yuletide,” Brodie says, his chin lifting with pride. “Wait until you see where you’re staying. There are reindeer on the property.”
“Reindeer?” Emily asks. She might be too old to believe in Santa, but she’s clearly not too old to be excited about seeing reindeer.
“A whole herd of them,” Brodie says. “You’ll be staying in the original farmhouse, which has been converted into a bed-and-breakfast. Daphne says it’s very rustic, so you should feel right at home.”
Damn, he can be a dick.
“And where will you be staying?” I ask.
“Daphne, her family, and I will be staying at a resort right up the road from the reindeer farm. Where the wedding’s happening.” He looks back at me. “Sorry, man, you’re at the farm, too.”
“No problem,” I say, teeth gritted in annoyance. How can he push his own family off like this?
“Brodie,” Gentry says. “You can’t make room for Levi? He’s just one person.”
“Sorry,” Brodie says. “Daphne’s got a huge family. And her parents needed an extra room for their dogs.”
“Seriously,” I mutter, getting more annoyed with him by the minute.
“Don’t worry, man,” Brodie says. “You and I will get tons of time to hang out. The bars in town are supposed to be lit.” He pokes Emily’s shoulder. “Isn’t that what the kids say these days?”
“No,” Emily says.
Brodie doesn’t deflate. “We’ll stop by the reindeer farm so you can drop off your stuff, then we’ll head to the inn. Daphne needs help getting some things together for the wedding. I told her the wedding planner can do all that stuff, but she’s got some idea that people will notice a personal touch.”
“Happy to help,” I say.
“Not you,” Brodie says with a guffaw. “It’s women’s work. You and me are going to play a round of golf before the family dinner tonight.”
