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"Always," he responded, winking. "The Easton brothers' charm-off."
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "I'll take the fifth on this one."
He chuckled, nudging me lightly with his shoulder. "Fair enough. I’ll ask again later after I’ve had the proper time to win you over."
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Dylan and the nurse who’d called him away were back and standing just outside the dining room doors in deep conversation.
He glanced into the room and met my gaze. Before I could look away, he turned his attention to his brother, his expression darkening. Then he looked at me again with a little smile of acknowledgment.
I returned it quickly then focused on Todd. Dylan was the one who made my stomach do flip-flops, but I couldn’t get that wedding band out of my mind.
Wouldn’t get it out of my mind. How could he flirt so blatantly when he was married?
I felt as deflated as the balloon that had popped and startled me enough to latch onto Dylan earlier. No matter how excited I’d been when he wanted to exchange numbers, there was no chance in hell I’d fool around with a married man.
“So, Lana. Since you’re psychic and all,” Todd said, “can you guess what I’m going to ask you next?”
I focused all my attention on Todd and played along. And it did actually make me feel a little less disappointed.
4
DYLAN
“It’s not reallyan issue right now, but I thought I should let you know,” Sarah said, slipping her hand into her pocket.
She’d worked at Crystal Fountains since before my grandpa started living there. She was also the one who communicated most of the bad news to me. I liked her, but I always had to brace myself when she wanted to talk to me.
“I appreciate it, Sarah. Thanks for letting me know.” I patted her shoulder, then I glanced into the dining room to look at my grandpa.
The news wasn’t anything I hadn’t been expecting. He’d started to sometimes forget the names of the nurses, usually when he woke up. It came back to him, but the forgetting was new.
I glanced from his happy face to Lana’s. Todd was chattering away next to her, turning on the charm like he did with everyone, especially beautiful women.
I shook my head, pushing down the jealousy that was creeping up.
I liked her. I really liked her. More than I had anyone in a long time.
And there she was, lighting up like a firefly for my younger brother.
I knew I’d blown it. The minute she saw my ring, she’d shut down.
“Well, let’s get back to the party, shall we? Dave looks like he’s having a blast,” Sarah said, leading me into the room.
I took a deep breath and headed for Todd, Lana, and our grandfathers. Before I could reach them, Mrs. Mills wheeled up to me and stopped me to tell me what a good grandson I was, always coming to visit my grandpa. Then Mrs. Jameson walked over and joined her.
We’d had the same conversation a hundred times before. But Mrs. Mills rarely got visitors, despite having a large family. I didn’t have the heart to cut her short. So I let her say the same things she always said to me. I held her hand when she took mine. I gave her the time she clearly needed.
But I couldn’t help glancing over at Todd and Lana while I listened.
He kept laughing, leaning in close, touching her arm.
God damn it. Worse than that, Lana was giving those same vibes back to him, making it pretty clear she was interested.
If only I’d taken my damn ring off. That could be me.
“You take care now, honey,” Mrs. Mills said, squeezing my hand.
“You too, ma’am.” I took Mrs. Jameson’s hand quickly too, then I headed toward Todd and Lana.
