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She shoveled a corner piece onto my plate and handed it over. “Here.”
I touched her hand before taking the plate, wishing the storm had kept Flynn away a few more days. I didn’t want to share her attention. “Thanks.”
With a sympathetic smile, she carried the other plates to the dinner table while Flynn opened three beers and passed them around.
“To family,” Flynn said, holding up his bottle. “You guys have been amazing through all of this mess, and I just wanted to say a massive thank you.”
“That’s what families are for.” Daisy clinked her bottle against his before tapping mine. Our eyes held until Flynn continued his speech.
“Well, we don’t have a big one, so I wanted to tell you how grateful I am to have you both in my life. Even with Mom and Dad gone, and my shitty divorce, I’ve never felt alone.”
Guilt tore through me. I was going to fuck everything up…or perhaps I already had.
“Now, we can eat,” Flynn announced right as my appetite evaporated. “You okay there, buddy? You’re looking a bit pale.” He scowled at his sister. “Did you do something to Ethan’s food again?”
“No.” Daisy analyzed my face before standing. “I’ll get you some water.”
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep much last night, that’s all.”
Blush burst into Daisy’s cheeks. “Well, I’m parched, so I’ll get some for all of us.”
“Wheredidyou guys sleep last night?” Flynn asked as Daisy filled a jug and brought over three glasses.
“By the fire.” I motioned to the family room. “It was the only dry place in the cabin.”
“Shit, that must’ve been awful.”
A chuckle passed over my lips. “Fucking terrible.”
Daisy filled my cup and passed it over with a smirk. “The worst.”
With the shake of my head, I dove into my meal while my knee rested against Daisy’s smooth leg. Although the state of our relationship petrified me, her presence soothed my soul. Just one look or touch from that girl and all my worries dissolved.
The more we drank, the more we relaxed, and our affection amplified. Our lingering looks and our leg grazes were driving me crazy. It wasn’t enough, but with her brother there, we couldn’t do much else. Fortunately, the conversation bounced so naturally around the table Flynn was none the wiser. He was enjoying himself, just as we were, but I knew this was merely the calm before the storm.
Noticing Daisy’s empty water glass, I picked up the jug and leaned toward her while slipping my hand over her knee. “Want some?”
She held out her glass, but her eyes never left mine. “Fill me up.”
I almost died.Fuck, she has a dirty mind.
* * *
After Daisy excused herself to bed, Flynn and I stayed up playing cards and drinking whiskey while the fire burned down. I desperately wanted to follow her, but it was too risky. If Daisy wanted this, we’d have to break it to Flynn gently…and have 911 on speed dial for when he kicked my ass to Canada.
“So, what did Lanie have to say?” Flynn asked, shuffling the deck.
I rubbed my stubbled chin, not wanting to say it out loud. “She, um…offered me a job.”
“Like some commission pieces?”
I picked up the cards he passed over and sank behind them. “Like a job-job.”
“At one of the galleries?”
“Something like that,” I murmured as I sorted my hand.
“Ethan, that’s amazing!”
