“She was right.” He chuckled. “How’d she know?”
“She said she saw the way you looked at me.” She jerked her head back as though she’d finally processed what he’d said. “Wait… you did?”
“Maybe a little.” Definitely more than a little. Actually more like a lot.
“What?” She stepped out of his arms. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you were Ethan’s little sister, and he would have killed me.” He wanted to add a “duh,” but he manfully restrained himself.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she swore, her eyes snapping. “I’m going tokillEthan. If I’d known, then maybe we could—”
He held out a hand. “Nothing would’ve changed. By the time I realized how I felt, I was moving to New York with my family.”
Wrapping her hand around his, she took a step closer. “How did you feel?”
“Mostly horny,” he chuckled. The sparks of young love for the first time had squeezed at his heart.
She burst out laughing. “If you’d acted on it, I wouldn’t have been a thirty-year-old virgin.”
“We’re making up for it now.” He tugged her to him and wrapped an arm around her waist. This was where he wanted her to be—in his arms. Forever.
“Yes, we are.” She slid her hands up his hard torso and around his neck. “Things could’ve been so different if you’d stayed in Australia.”
“Maybe.” Or maybe he would have ruined a great friendship.
Either way, he couldn’t live in the past. The future was what mattered, and he didn’t have a future with Chloe. If Layla didn’t want to stay married to him because he couldn’t give her a baby, why would Chloe?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mondaymorning,TheometBlake at a café two blocks from their building. Theo only had time for a quick coffee. He’d spent so much time with Chloe lately; his work had piled up to colossal levels. Not that he’d complain. Chloe was a beautiful distraction.
Theo glanced at his watch and then at his brother. “Make it quick. Why couldn’t we meet in the office?”
“It’s not work I want to talk about,” Blake said, taking a sip of his latte. “If we’re in the office, you’ll tell me you’re too busy to talk.”
This must be important if Blake needed his undivided attention. “Are you okay? Is there a problem?” Too occupied with spending time with Chloe, he hadn’t had the chance to catch up with his brother.
“Yes, there’s a problem.”
With concern Theo asked, “What is it?”
Blake folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “You.”
“Me?” Theo asked, taken aback.
“And Chloe,” Blake amended.
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell is this about?”
“I know you’re spending a lot of time together.”
There was no point lying to Blake, he’d see straight through it. “Yeah, so?”
“This is Chloe. Your best friend’s sister. Someone who you’d never get involved with unless you were serious about them.” Blake took another sip of his latte. “You wouldn’t risk your relationship with Ethan if you were just fucking her.”
“Watch your mouth,” Theo said through gritted teeth.
Blake rolled his eyes at Theo’s threat. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re acting strange. And it’s not just this overprotective grumpy thing you’ve got going on—which by the way, I’ve heard that Owen’s put in for a transfer.”
