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Annabel glanced at her watch. “Geez. Where is everyone? They know dinner is at six on the dot. We don’t have all night.” She nudged her brother. “Caleb, go round everyone up. Tell ’em if they’re not here in five minutes, their food is gonna get cold.” When her brother took off, Annabel returned her focus to Scarlett. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
Shaking her head, Scarlett forced another smile. “Nothing. I’m good.”
If it was going to come out, it was going to come out. She just didn’t have the guts to be the one to make that happen.
13
Elijah
Elijah couldn’t tell if he was more upset about the fact that Lucas was clearly trying to hit on Scarlett, or that she was letting him do it. Logically, he shouldn’t be upset at all. He didn’t care who Lucas wanted to date, and Scarlett was a big girl. She could handle herself.
Besides, she wasn’t going to stick around very long anyway. So, what did it matter?
He scowled at the closed door, contemplating whether or not he should just skip supper. He’d get an earful from both Annabel and Wade, but that was nothing compared to the torture he’d have to suffer while being seated at the table with Scarlett.
That kiss had burned a mark inside him much like he’d imagined a branding might feel like. It smoldered and festered, refusing to allow him to forget what it felt like.
The worst part was that he wanted more. He wanted to pull her aside and demand that she kiss him once more just so he could experience it one more time. Her kiss was like a drug. There was no denying it.
He was no better than Lucas.
That realization hit him in the chest—hard. It knocked the air out of his lungs and made his arms and legs feel weak. Lucas was all about dating as much as he could. He didn’t want to settle down because he was having too much fun. None of the women he dated meant anything more than a good time.
Wasn’t that how he was feeling about Scarlett and that kiss? He was almost willing to take more of it just so he could feel something. His stomach churned and he had to swallow the bile that crept up his throat.
Elijah had promised himself that he’d never become that kind of man. Women deserved to be treated with respect. That was why he was going to put his foot down. Scarlett might not be the kind of woman he wanted to settle down with, but she still deserved to be treated right. Lucas wasn’t going to do that. If he wanted to ensure Scarlett wasn’t hurt, he’d have to step in.
It was for her own good.
At least that was what he told himself as he marched up those creaking steps and headed inside. Caleb nearly collided with him as they passed in the hallway.
“Annabel wants everyone in the kitchen right now,” he said breathlessly. “And you know how she gets on her birthday.”
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I know.” His younger brother darted past him and out the front door.
When Elijah reached the kitchen, he found Annabel and Scarlett hovering near the kitchen sink, speaking quietly.
Lucas was sprawled out in his seat at the table with his phone out. Half of the Keagan men were seated there as well, including Wade. Brielle sat beside him. Everyone was either having a quiet conversation or they were on their phones.
He took a step forward just as the rest of his brothers entered the kitchen from the other side of the room.
“Good, everyone’s here.” Annabel handed Scarlett a bowl and then took one for herself. “You know the drill. Make your own potato. There’s plenty to go around, so no need to worry about running out of toppings.”
Annabel nodded toward one side of the table. “Scarlett, you can sit by me if you’d like.”
Lucas shook his head, pulling the chair beside him out from the table. “She already agreed to sit by me. And the birthday girl gets to be at the head.”
Annabel glanced at Lucas, and Elijah could see the suspicion in her eyes. “Lucas,” she drawled. “We’ve been through this.”
“What?” he asked with feigned innocence. “Can’t I be friends with your friends?”
She placed the bowl of cheese on the table, then popped her hip as she put her hand there. “The last time you werefriendlywith one of my friends, she got mad at me because you wouldn’t call her back.”
Lucas made a face. “Yeah, well, that just goes to show that Poppy wasn’t very smart on two counts. Scarlett knows that I’m not interested in anything serious. Don’t you, Scarlett? What’s the harm in one date?”
“Lucas.” This time Annabel’s voice had some edge to it—enough to garner the attention of the eldest in the family.
Wade sat up a little straighter in his seat. “Leave Scar alone, Lucas.”
