Page 91 of Just a Little White Lie

I work my jaw to the side and shake my head. “Is that the only reason you’re so pissed?”

He huffs. “It’s one of many! She’s my sister, man. I mean, come on! You’ve got sisters. You should get this.”

I nod, trying to see it from his point of view, but then I end up shaking my head, because maybe I can’t anymore.

Both my sisters are with really great guys, and they’re happy. That’s all I want for them, so why can’t Luke want that for Lauren?

Unless…

“You think I’m not good enough for her?”

“Of course not.” His reaction is so fast and shocked, I have to believe him. His eyebrows dip into a frown again, and he starts picking at his bottle label.

“You better not be thinking she’s not good enough for me.” I practically growl the words.

He doesn’t deny it, and I’m instantly livid.

Shifting on my stool, I rest my elbow on the table, and now it’s my turn to glare.

He looks away from me. “I just… She’s finally doing good, you know? She doesn’t need any distractions right now.”

“Have you ever thought that I might have some part to play in where she’s at right now?”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “But… I know you, man. You’re all in when the going’s good, but you have to be honest and admit that when it’s shit, you like to run and hide. You’re a brooder, and Lauren’s not like that.”

“I don’t… brood.” I frown, hearing the lie as soon as it leaves my mouth. I try to save face and follow it up with “She hasn’t given me any reason to brood.”

“Well, she will. Believe me!” Luke raises his eyebrows. “She’s Lauren.”

“She’s awesome, and I wish you’d think better of your little sister,” I snap.

“I do.” He sighs, dipping his head and scratching the back of his neck. “She’s come a long way since getting back, and I’m really proud of her.”

“But?” I know it’s in there, just waiting to come out.

“I guess I was just surprised to see her on your lap with her tongue shoved down your throat. I thought you guys didn’t even like each other.”

I shrug. “Things change.” Then I huff and admit the whole truth. “I’ve liked her for years. Even when she was a kid, I thought she was cool, but I couldn’t go crushing on a twelve-year-old now, could I? So I tried to be the big annoying brother instead. And then she gets back from London and makes my job a million times harder. I swear, man, I really did try to resist her, but then she kissed me and…” I shake my head, no doubt blushing. I scratch my cheek to try and hide it but am forced to admit, “I was gone. I couldn’t keep denying what I wanted. And the fact that she wants me back, it’s… I’m not walking away from this.”

“Yeah, I know.” Luke sighs. “And I shouldn’t be upset that my sister is dating my best friend. I should be happy for you. That’s what Mallory says, anyway,” he mumbles.

I snicker and take another swig of beer.

“I’ll get there. Just… give me some time to adjust.” He points his bottle at me. “And don’t go hurting her. No taking off and brooding.”

I grin. “This isn’t just a casual fling for me. I really care about her, okay?”

“Yeah, she said the same thing.” He pulls a face, and my grin turns into laughter.

Yes! She said the same thing.

That makes me way too happy, as does the face Luke’s pulling right now.

“I kind of want to say that I’m sorry for torturing you like this, but I’m really not.”

“Shut up.” He snickers and rolls his eyes. “I just… You get that I’m trying to protect her, right? I mean, my parents are seriously pissed. She lied to them over and over, and she drained their bank accounts. She went from ‘our poor baby girl’ to the bullshit villain overnight. It’s bad. And I’m trying to make it right.”

“She’s trying to make it right too. And it doesn’t help that you’re the golden boy and she’s the screwup. She needs you to believe in her.”

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