Page 19 of A Lonely Road
Another point won in favor of Spruce Hill.
We chatted about lighthearted topics for nearly an hour before Sam ventured, “So, you live next door to Jake?” My smile dimmed ever so slightly, a fact which her sharp gray eyes caught immediately, then she leaned forward again and added brightly, “I’m also a realtor, did he tell you? If you decide you’re looking to buy, let me know. Don’t you just love that apartment? Itdoesn’t look like much from the outside, but I couldn’t believe how well it turned out.”
“Your brother is very talented,” I replied in a carefully neutral tone, sipping at my latte. Sam grinned and I saw the resemblance to Jake clearly, right down to the dimple.
“Okay, brushoff noted. I’ll stand down. I like you, Nora. I haven’t known too many women who didn’t throw themselves at Jake’s feet. Lord knows it’s good for his big head for him to get rejected now and then. Unless you’d prefer the more feminine version of my brother, in which case I would quite happily steal you away from him.” Sam arched a golden brow and gave me a wide smile.
Though my mind waged a brief internal war over which part of that to respond to first, I finally said, “I’m not rejecting him. I’m just not looking for a relationship. Or . . . well, anything else, really. For now, I’d just like to keep things uncomplicated, if that makes sense. And while I appreciate the offer to steal me away, there’s nothing to steal. Jake and I are not an item.”
“The fact that you didn’t insist you’re straight did not go unnoticed,” she teased, her dimple peeping out against a broad smile.
“I was taught to never tell a lie,” I deadpanned, sending Sam into stitches. A little smile tugged at my lips when I added, “But since I will admit to being stupidly attracted to your brother, it feels a little incestuous to consider it. No offense, because obviously you are gorgeous and fun and under differentcircumstances, I would absolutely be tempted to take you up on your offer.”
“Interesting. Well, I was just checking. Can’t let Jake haveallthe fun. I’ve got my eye on somebody special, anyway, just waiting for the right moment to pounce.” Sam winked as she popped a piece of chocolate croissant into her mouth.
The flirtation dropped away as she launched into a discussion on local shopping options, cajoled me into agreeing to go to the nearby outlet mall with her someday soon, and finally proclaimed that she had to rush off for a house showing. Sam clasped both of my hands in hers before she rose from the table.
“Thank you for coming out with me today. You’re a cool chick, Nora Cassidy. Don’t be a stranger.”
With that, she rose in a flurry of motion and fluttered off with a wave. I felt like a tornado had just blown past.
Quietly, I sat there for another moment, gathering my scattered thoughts in the wake of the force that was Samantha Lincoln, then I left the table and returned to the quiet bubble of peace inside my car.
The Lincoln twins posed a serious risk to the solitude I usually sought, but somehow, I wasn’t even upset about it. In fact, I found it refreshing, energizing even. They made me feel like I could be part of something bigger than myself, maybe fit into some greater whole.
If anything,thatshould have been the real warning.
Chapter Ten
Jake
WhenNorapulledintothe driveway, I'd just finished mowing Mr. Jenkins’ lawn. I’d texted Sam earlier, warning her to take it easy on Nora—she wasn’t like Sam’s usual touchy-feely friends. My darling sister had replied simply enough:I do have eyes, you know.
Even if Sam was known as the bold twin, where I was the patient, subtle one, her eyes were probably even sharper than mine. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Nora was as reserved as they come. That snarky response from my sister reassured me that Sam was perfectly capable of adapting to the situation, but then she sent one more text.
Nora’s headed my way. Holy shit, she looks HOT today!
I’d been stewing over that comment ever since. Throwing myself into manual labor and yard work had barely taken theedge off of my anticipation over seeing her when she arrived home.
I took a steadying breath before she stepped out of the car. There was a certain look of challenge in her dark eyes, like she was daring me to make a comment about her outfit. In response, I simply wiped a hand over my jaw and smiled at her.
“How was coffee with the whirlwind?” I asked.
She laughed at the very apt description of my sister and absently rubbed at her forehead. “It was good. Apparently I’m being dragged out to some outlet mall in a week or two.”
It took a Herculean effort to force my eyes to stay on her face instead of wandering in leisurely appreciation from head to toe the way I desperately wanted to. My peripheral vision would have to suffice for now, and fuck me, from what I could see, my sister had been completely correct.
Smoking hot.
“Did she hit on you?” I asked, lifting a brow. I kept my tone deceptively casual as I pushed the lawnmower toward the garage.
“She did offer to steal me away from you, yes.”
“Oh?” The thought that Nora was mine to be stolen sent a surge of something fierce and thrilling through me.
“And I told her I’m not looking for a relationship. From either of you. A heads up might have been nice, though,” she muttered.
“You seem fully capable of holding your own. Besides, twins can be very competitive. Gotta let you make your own choice without coercion, right?”
