Page 28 of Every Bit As Perfect
“Ew, please.It’s too soon to talk about you with my brother.”
She smiled smugly.“It never fails to shut you up.”
I opened my mouth, but she threw up her palm.“I can go into detail if you need me to…”
I backed away quickly.“Nope, nope, and nope.I’ll talk to you later!”
She laughed as she walked away.
It was good to have her home again.And married to my brother with a baby?That was the stuff weaved into my most secret of dreams.
This time, expecting Daire, I made sure to put an extra chair at the table.Hunter deserved his place at our table.
One I could see, not just an imaginary one in my heart.
But when it came time to eat, my mom scanned the table with a look of confusion on her face.“Dan, we’ve got one chair too many.Can you move it.”
My head whipped up and my eyes met Daire’s.
I turned away quickly.It was foolish to insist on that chair.It was easy when our number was seven.No one ever removed the eighth chair just because it wasn’t filled.But adding an extra chair?That was weird.I wanted it, but unless I wanted to draw undue attention, I would have to suck it up.
“I, uh, actually invited a friend to come.I’m not sure if they’ll be able to stop by or not, but can we keep the extra chair out just in case?I apologize if I’ve overstepped, but Hawk told me to feel free to bring someone.”
They?They he?Or they she?Was it a date?
I gave myself a vicious mental shake, my emotions already swirling.He’s not for you.
As if drawn by a magnet, I stole another glance.
He was still looking at me.
Did he do that for me?
He offered me a small nod.
My eyes watered.I looked away and breathed in, slowly and deeply.
“Maybe I was wrong about him,” Noelle murmured from behind me.
I don’t think you were.
Pulling myself together, I smiled and changed the subject.
All through dinner, my mind worked, divided between the laughter and conversation around the table and the man seated across from me.
He understood too much.
Worse than Max and ten times as dangerous.
Being with him wouldn’t mean dropping my armor.I’d be shedding my skin, with no hope of protecting myself if he left.
After our food babies digested, and before bringing out the cake, Mom and Dad took Hunter to give Noelle and Hawkley a break.
“Lap pool?”Max challenged.“You think you can take me, Harley?”
I scoffed, “Please.”
He laughed and slung his arm around my shoulders as we walked.“You’re on.”
