“You’re staring,” I say, pouring.
“I’m observing.”
“That’s worse.”
Hadley hums like she agrees.
I take a sip of coffee that’s way too hot, and I bite back my reaction.
“Something’s different,” she adds.
I lean back against the counter across from her, the ceramic of the mug warm in my hands.
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
I look at her, really look this time. She’s not teasing, not entirely. There’s something cunning underneath it now. Something more aware.
“What do you think you mean?” I ask.
Her mouth curves slightly.
“I think my brother’s involved,” she says.
I choke on my coffee. Actually choke. Hadley’s expression lights up immediately.
“Oh, wow. That was fast.”
“I didn’t—”
“You did.”
“I didn’t.”
“You absolutely did.”
I set the mug down harder than I mean to, the sound echoing slightly in the kitchen.
“This is none of your business.”
Hadley pushes off the counter and takes a slow step closer.
“Everything in this house is my business.”
“That’s not how that works.”
“It is if I decide it is.”
I stare at her giving her the same scowl that used to make Nolan flinch. But she doesn’t back down.
Doesn’t soften.
“He doesn’t look at people the way he looks at you,” she says.
The words land low and sharp in my stomach, stealing my breath for half a second. I don’t ask what she means.
“And before you try to explain it away,” she adds, “I’ve seen that look exactly once before.”
