Chloe stepped away from the restaurant’s entrance to let a couple inside. “You don’t say hello anymore? I’m going to tell Mum.” If he was going to be the meddling, overprotective brother, she could play the bratty little sister.
She heard him sigh. “Hello, Chloe.”
“Much better,” she said with a grin.
“Who are you meeting?” he asked again.
Chloe shook her head. Was it so hard to engage in a little small talk before he went straight into the interrogation? Apparently, her brother had eschewed all social niceties. “A friend.”
“Is it a guy? I’ve heard you’re dating.” No points as to who spilled the beans, at least she’d had a little warning—the jerk.
Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose. She almost wished that Theo was still spying on her for her brother, at least then he’d be the one to get the third degree and not her. She kicked a pebble on the sidewalk. “Why bother asking me? Your spy should’ve filled you in on all the juicy details.” She clutched the phone. “Which let me ask you something: how could you do that to me? Don’t you trust me?”
“I’m worried about you on your own.” He didn’t bother denying it or apologize for invading her privacy and treating her like a child.
Well, she wasn’t about to take this lying down. “I don’t know how many times I need to tell you this, but I can take care of myself.” When a couple walking by paused to look at her, she lowered her voice and pulled out her trump card. “Mum doesn’t even treat me this way.”
Ethan sighed. “Mum’s too nice; she always thinks the best of people. But you’re in New York, literally half a world away without any support system should something happen. I promised myself I’d always take care of my family after Dad died. What else would you have me do?”
“You could—and I know I’m going out on a limb here—trust me to make good decisions and take care of myself. I was doing just fine in Sydney.”
“But you weren’t interested in dating then,” he countered quickly. Too quickly. “Ever since Isla died, you’ve been laser focused on getting married and starting a family. I’m worried about you rushing into things without regard for the consequences. I’m worried about you getting hurt. I’m worried about you dating guys you know nothing about. You could date a psychopath for all you know.”
“That’s a bit dramatic. Going for another BAFTA nom, are you?” she asked, annoyed. “Owen’s a nice guy. Theo wouldn’t have set me up with him if he wasn’t.” Oh shit, she probably shouldn’t have said that last part.
Her brother pounced on the information. “Theo set you up? What the fuck? Me and Theo are going to have a little chat the next time I see him.”
“Donotcontact him about anything to do with me again.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. “I want to find someone to spend the rest of my life with, and he’s been helping.”
“I didn’t ask him to do that. He was supposed to take care of you—”
“I can take care of myself, thank you very much,” she said, cutting him off. “I’m done with this conversation. I’m meeting a nice man. Someone who could be perfect for me, and you’ve pissed me off. If the date ends badly, I’m blaming you. Then I’ll have to start all over again with anotherstranger.” Her voice rose, and this time she didn’t care who heard. “Stay out of my business.”
“Chloe—” he sounded contrite, but she wouldn’t let him finish.
“Goodbye, Ethan.” She hung up and flung the phone into her purse. Dropping her head, she stared at the cracked sidewalk. What did she have to do to get Ethan off her back? She didn’t have time to worry about that now; she was late meeting Owen.
Chloe hurried inside the restaurant to where Owen was waiting. When he saw her, he smiled, rose, and pulled out a chair for her.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, hanging her purse on the back of her chair.
“No problem. You look beautiful,” he said and placed a hand on her back to kiss her on the cheek before she sat down.
“Thank you.” She’d hoped to feel something when he kissed her. A spark or warmth where he touched her. Yes, it was chaste and there was nothing sensual about it, but she wantedsomething.
This was all Ethan’s fault! Picking up the menu, she stared at the page, still too pissed with her brother to make conversation with Owen. The last thing she wanted to do was bite his head off. Damn her brother for putting her in this mood.
“Something wrong?” Owen stared at her over his menu. “Nothing on there you like?”
Crap, she needed to get Ethan out of her head, and fast! She plastered a smile on her face. “Sorry, I’m distracted by a call I got before I arrived.”
“Anything serious?”
“No, my brother is being dramatic over nothing. But I don’t want to talk about him.” Or what an overprotective brother she had. She glanced at her menu. “Everything looks delicious. I’m having trouble deciding what I want.”
After a few minutes, they ordered dinner, and while they waited, Chloe found herself relaxing and enjoying Owen’s company once again. He had a great sense of humor, was passionate about his work, and loved his family. They talked about places they could visit together and when their next date should be. His eyes beamed with interest when he looked at her, and she knew he wanted to take their relationship further.
This was good. This was very good. Chloe actually liked him and would like to see where this was leading, but before she committed to spending more time together, she needed to tell him she was still a virgin. Yes, it was still early in their relationship. A conversation like that could wait until they were ready to take the next step, but Chloe had her schedule and needed to fast-track things. It would be a good test of character.
