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I widened my eyes mockingly. “Me? Never. But I told Hailey, and if she wants to interfere, I can’t be held responsible, can I?”
“You don’t have to worry about me, little bro. I’m not going to do anything.” She’d started to make salad dressing.
“Awwww, sis. I’m knee deep in shit. You’re using your ‘PR’ tone. The one that means I’m just going to pacify this poor schmuck but do what I want anyway.”
Hailey stopped putting salt in the salad. “When did you become so perceptive?”
Jace winked. “A while ago. So, ’fess up.”
“Well... you do have quite the fan club among my friends.”
“You’re not going to warn me off anyone, unlike our oldest sister here?”
“I have far more trust in you,” Hailey said solemnly.
“That’s my Hailey.”
Once everyone had arrived and was seated at the table, I realized I had no herbs for the salad, so I went out in the yard to pick some fresh thyme and coriander. I was crouched, pulling at the herbs, when I heard the voice.
“Damn, that’s a sight for sore eyes.”
I straightened up and nearly lost my balance as I whirled around to face Carter.
My face split in a grin. “What are you doing here?”
“You said you were home, and I thought I’d surprise you.”
He glanced at the herbs, then at the house as laughter filtered through the open windows.
“You’ve got company?”
“Yeah. My entire family is here. Friday night dinner, remember?”
I’d invited him twice, but he always had plans with the girls Friday evening, so I hadn’t insisted. After he’d asked me to sleep at his house last week, I’d wanted to bring it up again, but hadn’t had the chance. This was the perfect opportunity.
“I hadn’t realized they’re a regular thing.”
“I’ve made them a regular thing ever since Will turned eighteen and moved out. I think the likelihood of an asteroid colliding with earth is higher than me canceling a Friday dinner.”
Carter laughed as his gaze perused me lazily, igniting my body. I was certain he could do this a million times and it still would affect me.
“Do you want to join us?” I asked, though I was trying to mentally envision what would happen when I introduced him to my brothers. He must have mistaken my worry for reticence because he frowned.
“If you’d rather keep it family only, I understand.”
“Of course not. I’d love to have you and the girls here, but I know you always have plans on Friday. Where are they now?”
“Playdate with a friend.”
“Come on, let’s head inside. But I’m warning you, it can be a bit crazy when we’re all together, and my brothers can be a bit overprotective.”
Carter gave me a sinful smile. “That’s what brothers are for. I still need to talk to you about all those links you sent to April.”
I assessed the glint in his eyes. It was somewhere between dangerous and delicious. I shimmied a little as we climbed the staircase up to the house. Carter placed an arm around my lower back, his palm pressing against the side of my waist. A spark of awareness traveled from where his fingertips touched all the way to my navel, and lower still.
Hmm... I should have stolen some kisses when I had the chance.
The moment we entered the dining room, everyone went quiet.
