She stops dead when she sees Melissa.
“Oh,” she says. Then her face lights up. “Ohhhh.”
Melissa stiffens, then offers a polite smile. “Hi.”
Aubrey turns to me slowly. “You did not tell me you had a beautiful woman in your apartment.”
“Aubrey,” I warn.
She ignores me completely, already stepping toward Melissa. “I’m Aubrey. His sister. And you must be …”
“Melissa,” she says, shaking Aubrey’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Aubrey beams. “Oh my God, I love her.”
Melissa laughs, instantly at ease. “You don’t know me.”
“No, trust me,” Aubrey says, “if my brother let you wear his clothes, you’re already winning.”
I clear my throat. “We’re having coffee.”
“Oh good,” Aubrey says. “I’ll have some.”
She walks straight into the kitchen like she owns the place.
Melissa glances at me, amused. “She seems … self-assured.”
“She’s relentless,” I say.
Aubrey pours herself coffee, then leans against the counter, studying Melissa openly. “So,” she says, “how did you meet?”
I open my mouth.
“Work,” Melissa answers smoothly.
Aubrey’s brows lift. “Oh?”
I shoot her a look. She catches it and smiles.
“Well,” Aubrey says lightly, “that explains a lot.”
Melissa tilts her head. “Explains what?”
“Why he’s been insufferable lately,” Aubrey replies.
“Aubrey,” I say sharply.
She holds up her hands. “What? I’m being complimentary.”
Melissa’s gaze flicks between us. She notices—I can tell.
Aubrey softens, turning back to Melissa. “I’m teasing. Mostly.” She pauses, then adds gently, “My brother doesn’t let many people in.”
Melissa’s smile falters.
Aubrey looks at me. There’s an unspoken history there. Boundaries. Warnings.
I give her a subtle shake of my head.
