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“Then why did you?”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No.”
“I find it hard to imagine what other way you could have meant it.”
“I’ve had problems in the past.”
“With what? Not getting the attention you want?”
“Ouch. No. I mean, yes. When I was a kid. I hope I’m not that petty anymore. She got more attention than I did, sure. But that meant there were a lot of guys who liked her but couldn’t have her. Some of them decided they’d be happy enough settling for me.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
For some reason, it was very important to him that she understood he would never do that to her. He stepped closer and his voice softened. “I’m not that kind of guy.”
Her face flushed. “No. Of course you’re not.” She moved quickly to the couch and sat. “But if we’re going to be working together, I wanted to know where things stood between you two.”
“Have you ever?”
“Ever what?”
“Dated a guy who wanted your sister more?”
She pushed her tongue into her cheek. “Once. It was because I liked him already. He was popular and good-looking, and it didn’t take me long to realize my mistake.”
“That must have hurt.”
“I was a teenager. I’m over it. I wanted to make sure that if youdidhave a thing for her, you didn’t come to me looking to scratch that itch.”
He laughed. “‘Scratch that itch’? Listen, Charlotte, I know we barely know each other, but I can already tell you’re not a woman that anyone would ever besettlingfor.”
“That’s nice of you to say, but now I feel like you’re pitying me.”
“I’m not. Trust me. I’m already more attracted to you than I ever have been to Maddy—sorry, that didn’t come out right. Ignore me. I don’t know what I’m saying. My point is. You have nothing to worry about from me.” Why was he so flustered? He’d known Maddy for over a year and had never fumbled his words so badly with her.
“Good.”
“I don’t have siblings, so I don’t really know what that would be like, but there was a girl I knew who felt like a sister. If a guy tried anything like that with her, I think I’d break his nose. Maybe his legs too.”
“Unless you were that guy.”
“What?”
“You could be that guy. The good-looking popular one who could get whatever he wanted.”
“How do you know?”
“Aren’t you? I mean, look at you.” He looked down at himself, and she blushed again. “I’m sorry. NowI’mthe one who’s talking stupid. I guess I’m nervous about everything that’s happening and trying too hard to make my point. Forget I said anything.”
“But isn’t it the same for you? Your sister might be the more outgoing one, but you’re both beautiful.”
“I was always very quiet. She took up so much space with her personality, I resigned myself to the corner.”
