Page 47 of Soulmates

“I believe it, but I don’t intend on having a wife, so it doesn’t really matter either way.”

Freddie’s eyes slid to me, and it took everything in me not to fidget under his gaze. I knew Sam didn’t date, and this wasn’t going to mean anything, but telling my brother and Freddie Rossi, that was a whole different level.

Uncomfortable silence reigned between us for a second before Freddie cleared his throat. “Well, I have read it is good for a man not to marry. Personally I don’t think I could do that.”

“You’re already thinking about getting married?” Orlando asked. “Do me a favor and never mention that in front of my mamma.”

I rolled my eyes. It was officially time I bowed out of this conversation. “I think I should—”

“What about children?” Samuel asked as if I weren’t in the middle of a sentence.

Freddie’s brow furrowed. “What about children?”

“Do you want them?”

“Of course, but not until I’m in a place to raise them well.”

“Would you ever adopt or foster?”

“Sam,” I hissed. This was inappropriate even for him.

But Freddie didn’t back down. “Yes, I would. However, this is a conversation I think best suited to a different time and place.”With different company. The thought hung in the air between the four of us.

I downed what was left of my mimosa. “I’m going to find a bathroom. Excuse me.” I thrust my empty glass at Sam and fled like a total coward.

“Piper,” Orlando called, following me toward the hallway Hayden had pointed to when talking about bathrooms and bedrooms. “What was that?”

“Hell if I know.” I was pissed at Sam for interrogating Freddie and hurt by what he’d said about not ever getting married. I’d never expected to marry him, but he didn’t have to write me off in front of other people like that.

“Hey.” Orlando’s hand brushed my arm. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just let me be alone for a minute.”

“We can go home if that’s what you want.”

“I’m twenty-three years old. I can call myself a car, and I can get through a party without needing a babysitter or a bodyguard. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m fine. I need to fight my own battles.”

Orlando nodded. “Okay. Text me if you need anything. Even just someone to stand behind you and watch while you kick ass.”

I smiled at my brother. “Thank you.”

The rest of the party was fairly uneventful. I mostly ignored everyone after I got back from my trip to the bathroom, but I refused to leave. I had something to prove, and I wasn’t sure if it was to myself or Sam. So I watched the people around me drink and talk and laugh and pretended that it didn’t make me feel lonely.

I made it to eleven thirty before texting Orlando that I was heading out and that he should stay and enjoy himself.

A few steps away from the elevators, a solid body fell into step beside me.

“Did you have a good time?” Sam asked.

I pushed the button to call the elevator. “Yeah.”

“Don’t lie to me, Siren. It’s not a good look on you.”

The elevator door closed behind us. “Why did you ask the question if you’d already decided you knew the answer?”

“You should go for it with the Rossi boy,” Sam said, completely ignoring my questions as usual.

“Excuse me?”

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