Page 94 of Falling For My Ex's Brother

I watched Lana’s throat move as she spoke, and I enjoyed the tiny peek above her collar of a bruised spot. One I’d left there the night before. I couldn’t wait to get my mouth on that spot, and every part of her, again.

She hadn’t told me she loved me. I hadn’t really expected her to. But things between us had gotten more intense since I told her.

I sensed that Lana just needed time to get there. And I was willing to give her all the time she needed.

Brent got up from the table to go see to some customers.

Maddie excused her and Lana, then she took her across the taproom to point at something on the wall. A poster from Emberox Spirits advertising their vodka. Probably for some design notes or something ad related.

I was watching them when I noticed Todd in the doorway of the taproom. He had a pretty girl on his arm—the Lisa he’d gushed to me about.

Todd hadn’t ever just shown up before. He always called, as if he was trying to make up for his more impulsive behavior when he was still using.

I stood to approach him, but he directed Lisa to a table and headed straight for Lana and Maddie.

Shit. He touched her arm before I could take a step.

Todd started to move close like he was going to awkwardly hug her, but he stopped short and just squeezed her arm instead. He looked nervous but genuinely happy to see her.

Lana, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable as hell. She even physically leaned toward Maddie as if for support.

After a few minutes, Todd gave her a nod and headed toward the table where Lisa sat watching him. Lana headed toward my table.

“We’ve got everything covered on our end,” she said quickly. “We’re going to take off.”

“Already?” I asked, surprised. I figured they’d be there for at least another hour. “Everything okay?” I glanced past her to see Todd staring at us.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just have some things to take care of at the office.” Lana was working on other accounts besides Deft Rock now. I knew she probably did have work to do. But I felt sure that Todd showing up had a lot to do with her leaving early.

“You don’t have to leave because Todd’s here, Lana,” I pointed out.

“I know. It’s fine,” she said with a deep breath. Then she spoke softer. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

As she left, Todd watched her. Every damn step. Then his glare turned to me again.

I decided to bite the bullet. I went to Todd’s table so he could introduce me to his girlfriend.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” I said, hoping to smooth past him seeing Lana again.

“I’ll bet you are,” he said cryptically.

I ignored that and held my hand out for Lisa. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Todd introduced us, and we chatted for a few minutes. Then he took my elbow.

“Can I talk to you privately for a minute?”

I let him lead me away from the table.

Finally, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me you and Lana were working together?”

I realized how shaken he was. Seeing her had done a number on him, and I honestly hadn’t expected that.

“It seemed like bringing her up would be a bad idea, Todd. And I think I was right. Are you okay?”

“I’d be better if I’d known you two worked together,” he hissed.

“You have a girlfriend. You’ve moved on. I figured it was best not to bring Lana up. At least not for a while.” I tried not to feel guilty about the other things I hadn’t brought up about Lana.

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