Page 116 of One Wild Wish

“That’s sweet, but I’d have to be deported, too.” I went on to confessed my shameful stunt, describing how I’d forced my brother to collect cockroaches, not relenting until the “gift” box was full. I slumped as I admitted Anton’s resulting injuries.

Owen scrubbed a hand over his mouth. “I get feeling guilty over that, but the guy had it coming. You also didn’t mean to hurt him. And I know this isn’t what you want to hear…but maybe Anton turning up is a good thing.”

“Good because this is an alternate universe and everything is opposite to what I’m actually feeling?”

“No.” He nudged my foot with his. “But that would be kind of cool. I was thinking more along the lines of a fateful push. If you’re still upset over what you did, this could be life’s way of offering you closure.”

I stamped one Converse on the other, twisting uncomfortably. My birthday wish hadn’t been made on the fly. I’d been down for a while, frustrated with aspects of my job, feeling badly about myself. But helping my parents took priority over ditching clients. As much pride as the Habitat project provided now, it didn’t change my circumstances, and seeing Anton was a reminder that I had more to atone for than my work.

Apologizing to him could help with my resolution. I could rise above the scars his bullying had left and be happier with myself, beyond my newest nail job—purple with white flowers, my pinkies dotted with rhinestones.

But the thought of confronting him had me tensing, a mental tally of every mean stunt he’d pulled locking my joints. I’d done one mean thing that had ended horrifically. He’d been the architect of months of my torment.

Overwhelmed, I turned my focus to Owen. Another drama I needed to sort. My first stride toward forging our touchy-feely friendship was admitting I knew his boyfriend. I’d avoided the topic, had sidestepped any subjects nearing our love lives. I hadn’t wanted to confess I’d had a thing for Emmett, and I also liked pretending Owen was mine. A ridiculous notion.

Since I couldn’t plow him , it was time to stop playing make believe and plow ahead. While admiring my horny coverings, I said, “I didn’t mention it, but I know Emmett.”

8

Ten-letter word for a small elevator used to move objects between floors.

Or the asshole who hits on your dinner date.

D U M B W A I T E R

Owen

Visions of my brother sharing humiliating childhood stories with Ainsley flooded my mind. I plunked my glass down harder than intended. “What do you mean, you know Emmett?”

“I saw him a few weeks back, when he stopped by the build. I kind of hid my face, so I don’t think he recognized me. I was embarrassed.” Even now, she twirled a lock of blond hair around her finger, avoiding eye contact.

“How exactly do you know him?”

She crossed her legs and bounced her foot. I could feel her movements more than see much under the white tablecloth, but our calves brushed. Even through our jeans, a spark of awareness snapped up my thighs. Like it had when she’d plastered herself to my back earlier. I’d nearly growled when she’d pressed her cheek to my thigh in my car. If I didn’t get us naked soon, that spark would ignite and burn me whole. Tamping down the urge to drag her onto my lap, I waited her out.

She wasn’t quick to answer. She flipped her fork in circles. She rolled her eyes as though annoyed with herself. “Thing is, I had a crush on him.”

“On Emmett?” She nodded, a sweet blush dusting her cheeks. I’d have laughed, but she looked ready to crawl under the table. “How’d you even meet him?”

“At the gym. I work out with a couple friends there, and I’d seen him around. I mean, he’s easy on the eyes, but he wasn’t interested, obviously.”

I didn’t question that. Hearing she’d been into him irked me a bit, but it explained her mixed signals. Must be awkward to be interested in my brother, find out he’s gay, then meet me. “You’re not the first woman to fall for him, if it makes you feel better. I bet he got a kick out of it.”

“Something like that. Anyway, I thought you should know. I enjoy spending time with you, and I didn’t want it to make things weird with us.”

Did that mean there was an us? I really hoped it meant there was an us. Either way, as new as I was to dating, talking about her feelings for my brother probably wasn’t high on any win-the-girl checklist. “Thanks for telling me, but it’s no big deal. And I like spending time with you, too.”

“Yeah?” she asked, almost skeptical.

I stared into her blue eyes, losing a bit of myself each time they beamed me in. “Yeah,” I said, my voice hoarse. The moment lingered. Something lingered. Until she looked down sharply, breaking the intensity.

I scanned the menu. “You want to share stuff or order on our own?”

“Share,” she said, without looking up.

Sharing it was.

Two drinks and a stomach full of Indian food later, we both leaned forward, elbows on the table. Nana would flick my ear if she saw my poor table manners, but the spices and conversation had me warm and hazy. Ainsley had me hazy.