Page 10 of Where She Belongs

“I’m game for it,” Jason said.

“You really need to be reminded that people who like pineapple on pizza are weird,” Tate said quietly, his focus drilling into the back of the newcomer’s head. “It’s like a secret society.”

Jason chuckled. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

“Do you?”

He sighed and glanced in Tate’s direction. “I don’t need a lecture about my pizza choices. We’ve been over this a gazillion times. Just because we’re twins doesn’t mean we’re exactly the same.”

Tate snorted, turning to face his brother fully. “All I said was that pizza sounds good.”

Jason’s smirk stretched even wider, but his attention remained on the front of the room.

Just then, the room erupted in organized chaos as the meeting came to a close and people started merging for the door. Tate shot to his feet, but he couldn’t see the blonde woman anywhere. She’d managed to disappear into the crowd. His eyes darted back and forth and he attempted to slip closer to the front, but it was like trying to swim upstream. The current was too strong and by the time the people parted, she was gone.

He cursed under his breath. It wasn’t like he didn’t know where she lived, but showing up at her place out of the blue seemed a little on the stalker side. He definitely didn’t want to present himself as such. And seeing as he wasn’t interested in dating right now, he didn’t want to give her any false impressions.

Jason sidled up beside him, his shoulder bumping into his. It was one of the many ways they communicated—or checked in with each other.

When Tate glanced over to him, he was surprised to see Jason looking more relaxed.

“I know you’re trying to prioritize my feelings over your preferences because you hate pineapple.”

Tate gaped at his brother then recalled what they’d been talking about and threw his head back with a laugh. “I don’t hate pineapple, Jase.”

“Oh yeah? Then where do all those little pineapple slivers come from when we buy a Hawaiian pizza? The girls are too lazy to pull them off. And you hate fruit.”

“There’s that word again. I don’t hate anything.”

“Except when someone attacks your family,” Jason said pointedly.

Tate draped his arm around his brother and pulled him close. “Yeah, except that.” He couldn’t help it. The second they exited the building, he looked for the woman again. He couldn’t shake this feeling that she was going to be an important part of his life, and he just wished he could figure out why.

Jason sighed as they headed for the truck. It was one of those long-suffering sighs and Tate dragged his attention over to his twin.

“What is it now?”

His brother didn’t speak right away. All he did was shake his head and run his thumb across his lip like he did when he was nervous or thinking about something he wasn’t ready to talk about.

Tate stepped in front of his brother to stop them both from continuing toward the truck. “What is it? Today has felt… weird.”

Jason shook his head again. “That’s not it.”

“So it is something.”

He furrowed his brows and looked away. “We don’t have to get pineapple on the pizza.”

Tate laughed. “Oh, we’re getting pineapple.”

“Then I guess you should go talk to her.”

That threw Tate off. “What? You just told me she wasn’t worth it. I’m guessing it has something to do with the fact that she’s clearly from the city. And we both know that will only end in trouble. And you’re right. She’s either going to get bored and move, or she’s here for ulterior motives. City folk don’t belong here. And even if all of that weren’t an issue, I don’t have time for a relationship.”

“And that’s why you should talk to her.”

“Okay, now you’re really confusing me.”

Jason sighed again, his head hanging. “It’s like I said. You always prioritize other people. If you think that behavior isn’t noticeable, then you’re dumber than you look.”