She blew out a long breath. “She doesn’t even know me, why would she do that?”
“Because it’s important to me. And if any of us Doyles need a favour, we do what we can to help.” He didn’t tell her he’d felt a surge of protectiveness over Holly staying in such a dump.
“She won’t mind the late hour?”
“Nah. She’s always up at this time.”
“Okay, thank you.” She smiled and his chest gave a tight squeeze.
* * *
Ethan drove out of the seedier part of Sydney. Ten minutes later, the city changed from shops and buildings to houses and apartments. The well-kept properties and luxury cars parked along the street told Holly they were in an affluent suburb. He made his way down a narrow laneway tunnelled with tall golden leaved trees with multicoloured, terraced houses lining the street.
Ethan pulled over onto the side of the road and parked in front of a grey terraced house with white window trimmings and black wrought iron railing. A light on in the entrance shined over a cheery yellow door. Two seconds later, a petite woman, with black hair wound in a messy bun wearing pink pyjama boxers and an oversized grey t-shirt, came rushing out the front door. He'd sent a text to his sister to let her know she was having a house guest.
“Hi guys.” She greeted them with a smile. There was no sign of her looking annoyed at being disturbed in the middle of the night.
Holly stood back while Chloe gave Ethan a hug and on tiptoes, kissed him on the cheek. The family resemblance was striking with her almost black hair, vibrant green eyes and good looks. Only Chloe was a shrink wrap version of her brother.
“It’s so lovely to meet you.” She gave Holly an equally warm hug.
For a second, Holly stood stiff not used to such affection, especially from someone she’d just met. A quick peck from her mother when it was her birthday or Christmas was as far as affection would go. Never would she allow such an exuberant hug. It would wrinkle the Chanel.
Holly returned the hug and then stepped away. “Nice meeting you too. If this is an inconvenience, I can go somewhere—”
“Not at all.” Chloe waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I’m thrilled Ethan’s brought you here.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him.
Holly glanced from Ethan to Chloe. One was smiling brightly and the other wore a death glare, communicating silently like only close siblings could. Holly liked her sister Ruth, they got along well, but they didn’t share a close bond. They were just too different. Her sister, five years older, had her life together. Cemented into the family business and thriving. They hailed her the perfect daughter. Holly could never live up to Ruth.
“Holly’s opinion of me already isn’t the greatest. Please don’t make it worse,” Ethan warned Chloe.
That wasn’t exactly true. They may have started off on the wrong foot, but he’d been nothing but kind and caring to her. It was the super charged attraction to him that had her rattled and if she was a little tense around him, it was because she didn’t know how to deal with it.
Chloe tapped the side of Ethan’s face with her palm. “My big brother’s nervous, is he? Well, so he should be.”
“Chloe…” He cautioned.
It only made her laugh. “Don’t stress. You’re not the centre of the universe. We’ll have more interesting things to talk about.” She linked her arm through Holly’s. “Night, Ethan.” As Chloe pulled her along to the front door, Holly glanced over her shoulder. Ethan had his hands tucked into his trouser pockets, shaking his head.
Once inside, Chloe said, “I could do with a cup of tea. Would you like one?”
“It’s late. I don’t want to bother you.”
“This is early for me. I work with overseas clients so I’m up at all different times of the night.”
“Ethan didn’t mention what you do,” Holly said as Chloe led her through a narrow arched corridor with colourful art hung on the walls and into a stylish kitchen with white cabinets, expensive looking appliances and marble countertop. Vases of flowers and bowls of fruit added pops of colour.
“Take a seat.” Chloe pointed to a barstool at the kitchen counter. “Probably because he’s annoyed I won’t take him on as a client.” When Holly frowned, she added. “I’m an agent. My clients are actors. And I refuse to work with my brothers. They’d only try to boss me around like they did when we were kids.”
Chloe busied herself around the room gathering mugs and putting the kettle on.
“Brothers? How many do you have?” Holly asked.
“Two. Ethan and Aiden.”
The name sounded familiar. “Aiden Doylethe actor in the TV seriesFamily First?”
Chloe nodded and poured steaming tea in their mugs, sliding a mug across the counter to Holly. “Let’s sit somewhere more comfortable.”
