Page 20 of My Forbidden Boss

»Then what is it about?«

»That it’s too dangerous. If Elliot...«

»If Elliot what?« My brother came around the car and looked questioningly from one of us to the other. Exactly such a situation was what I wanted to avoid. Damn it, we were two adults, and my brother should have had absolutely no objections, or rather, it was none of his business. But since the breakup, the leave of absence, and moving in with our parents, he had hardly been himself. Any small, unforeseen change would devastate him, as he was more sensitive than he let on. And he had only just reclaimed Wesley as a friend. Losing him now through an affair with his little sister would wound him infinitely.

Wesley slung an arm around Elliot’s shoulder. »Do you want to spoil your birthday present? Then we’d be happy to tell you everything.«

Elliot’s green eyes grew larger. »You’re planning a present for me?«

I hated to lie. Perhaps Wesley had reacted correctly by keeping his distance over the last few days. We should end it before we dug ourselves in deeper and something went disastrously wrong. Because it would if we continued like this.

»I’m not saying anything more,« I responded, passing the two of them to join my mom. She was scrolling through the packing list on her phone, checking off various items.

»Do you need anything else, can I help with anything?« I asked her, but she shook her head.

»We’re prepared! Let’s get going! Honey, start the music!« she called to my Dad, who was already in the driver’s seat. So Elliot had lost the race. As George Michael blasted through the speakers of their mini-van, I slid into the back seat, placing my handbag next to me to discourage either of the two from sitting with me.

Elliot and Wesley squeezed into the row in front, and my Mom took her seat in the passenger’s side. She rummaged in the cooler bag and handed everyone an orange juice box for the journey. I glanced at Wesley’s profile as he incredulously stared at the juice box in his hand. This was what he had signed up for.

But he didn’t look annoyed or amused, on the contrary. Rather... moved? I still didn’t know much about his family, but I also felt it was none of my business.

Elliot was rambling on about the new football season and Wesley turned his head slightly towards me, looking at me. And for the first time, I couldn’t completely decipher his gaze.

***

After five hours of relentless noise from my parents‹ playlist and Elliot’s chatter, I was infinitely grateful when we pulled into the driveway of my uncle’s vacation home. He was already on the porch, wearing bathing shorts colored like the American flag, and waving wildly at us. Dad parked, and the others got out. I leaned forward a bit. »You asked for it,« I whispered to Wesley. He just turned to me, amused. Of course, he looked as fresh as if he had just stepped out of the shower. Not like me. Because my mom disliked air conditioning, it was off, while outside the temperature had climbed to twenty-nine degrees. My hair strands stuck to my forehead, and I was already looking forward to my first jump into the cool lake.

»I’ve always wanted to meet your whole family. Don’t worry, babe, I won’t embarrass you.« He winked at me and followed the others outside. Funny, I wasn’t afraid that he would embarrass me. My family was quite special, especially when it came to the Fourth of July. I was worried that Wesley would be completely unnerved afterwards and never want anything to do with us again.

I also got out and walked over to the others, who were already greeting each other loudly. »Hello, Uncle Toni.«

»Brianna, darling!« We hugged tightly. My Dad’s brother was anything but ordinary, and we had always had a special connection. Even if he denied it, I was his favorite niece, received the nicest gifts, and if it was ever about something I had done, he always stood by me. Although in fairness, that hadn’t really been much.

»So good to have you all here! Veronika is just beside herself!« As if on cue, my aunt appeared. Her red, wild curls fluttered in the wind of her rapid movements as she boisterously pulled us all to her.

»Oh, and who’s this handsome young man?«

»This is a friend, Wesley.« Elliot clapped him on the back, and Wesley executed a small bow. His gaze intensified and Veronika’s cheeks immediately turned pink as he reached for her hand. Damned charmer, did he really have to ingratiate himself with my family like that?

»Nice to meet you,« he said with that rough bedroom voice that could surely ask anything of women.

»Oh, me too.« My aunt laughed foolishly. Then he turned to my uncle.

»I’ve heard that you fish, Toni? We absolutely must go out together!«

Wow, how could he know that fishing was my uncle’s favorite topic? Elliot must have told him quite a bit. »Would love to, boy!« Toni slapped him on the back. »Now, come on in, it’s time for a drink!«

Everyone went inside, and before Wesley followed them, he gave me a self-assured look as if to say: See, I’ve got everything under control, little one.

I rolled my eyes and pushed past him, snorting, while I heard his soft laughter behind me.

»You all know your rooms, and we’ve set up a second sleeping mat for Wesley in Elliot’s room. Is that okay?« My aunt asked, gesturing down the hallway leading to the bedrooms.

»Of course. I could have slept on the couch as well.«

»There’s no need for that! Get your luggage to the rooms, then let’s toast to our gathering!«

Fortunately, my uncle’s vacation home was quite large. It had two floors - my parents, Toni, and Veronika slept upstairs. Downstairs, there was a large bathroom, an open kitchen with a living-dining room, and two additional rooms. One held a beautiful, broad bed with a white metal frame and stunning decorations, where I slept. Next to it was an office with a sofa bed and now a mattress for Elliot and Wesley. Often, I could hear Elliot’s snoring through the walls and was grateful that I only had to endure it for two nights and could then return to my quiet apartment as an adult.

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