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“Yeah, because I was trying to piss you off!”
I laugh, “You’re good at that.”
She’s not amused.
I sigh and put my arm around her shoulder. She’s nearly taller than me in her heels. But she’ll always be little to me. “Look, Victoria,” I begin, guiding her a bit further down the walk. “You know how things went with Mom and Dad. You don’t remember how bad it was, but I do. And I just…don’t want that for my life.”
“Grant, that’s not how things work. You’re your own person.”
“History has a way of repeating itself.”
“Grant.” Victoria pulls away from me and looks me hard in the eye. “You aren’t fated to be like them. And if you believe that, you’re going to be alone forever.”
I raise my eyebrows, shocked she’s put it so bluntly.
“That’s just my two cents. You don’t have to listen to me,” Victoria says with a shrug of her shoulders making it very clear that she thinks Ishouldlisten to her.
I glance at the house, only ten feet away. We can continue talking about this later. Or preferably, abandon the conversation altogether. For now, though, we have a barbecue to attend. I go up to the door and knock as I give Victoria one last look. “Behave.”
“Bite me.”
I smile to myself. That’s my sister alright.
The door flies open, revealing…well, it’s got to be one of Kent’s girls. She has the hair, the eyes, the whole nine.
This must be Harley. All grown up. And all woman.
I’ve never felt this way from looking at one of his daughters. This… attraction to one of them.
She wears a white distressed top that’s so big it slides off her tan shoulder and tiny shorts that show off her legs. I can’t help but think about what she’d look like under there after I tore her clothes off.
God, what’s wrong with me? I can’t be having these thoughts. Not about one of Kent’s daughters.It’s not just that she’s younger than me. Probably nearly half my age (dear God). But she’s off-limits. Completely and utterly.
“Grant?” Harley speaks first. Brave girl, since I’m at a loss for words.
“H-Harley?”
“That’s me!” she says with a mischievous grin.
Shake it off, Grant. It’s just a feeling. It’ll pass.
I force myself to grin back. I’m just one of her dad’s old friends. A friendly, paternal figure. If I don’t make it weird, it won’t be weird. “Well, look at you! You’re all grown up!” I’m not sure if I should hug her. That might be weird. So I stick my hand out for a handshake andimmediatelyrealize that’s even weirder.
Harley eyes my hand and lets out a snorting kind of laugh so adorable it makes me want to squeeze her tight. She takes my hand. The electricity of her touch is nearly too much to bear. But with all of my willpower, I remain steady as we shake hands. “I mean, it’s been like eight years, right?” Harley says, her hand leaving mine. If I could keep her hand in mine forever, I would. “I’d hope I look a little different.”
“Has it really been that long?” I scratch the back of my head. “Wow. Time flies.”
“Sure does.”
We linger for a moment. I haven’t even clocked that she’s not alone until this very moment. Three of her sisters are behind her, along with her niece.
“Ahem…” Victoria clears her throat.
“Right! Sorry!” I step aside and gesture to Victoria. “You remember my sister, don’t you?”
“Of course! You’re in, like, every magazine,” Harley says with a smile.
Victoria looks away, flushing. She’s always been humble, even at supermodel status. “Well, hopefully, you remember me from before that.”
