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Tears stung behind her eyes. They were back to that again. “How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not going to leave Anna? I’m staying.”
“You don’t know what’s going to happen. None of us do. But your history can give a pretty clear indication of the most likely path you’re going to take.”
She gritted her teeth, bearing down on her jaw so hard she brought blood to the inside of her cheek. In one swift movement, she moved past him and strode toward the door. Darting inside, Scarlett nearly collided with Annabel.
“Whoa! Scar, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she said. As much as she wanted to tell Annabel her brother was being a jerk, she couldn’t. “How about we get out of here and get some ice cream or something?”
“You sure? Because I was thinking—”
Scarlett stopped and faced her friend. There was a strange little smile on her lips. “You were thinking you wanted to talk to that guy?”
Annabel waved a hand dismissively. “You’re right. It’s pointless. Let’s get some ice cream.” She looped her arm through Scarlett’s, and they headed through the crowd toward the front door, narrowly escaping a run-in with Lucas.
Scarlett had had more than enough fun with the Keagan men for one night. It was time to focus on more important relationships.
15
Elijah
“What in the name of Sam Hill was that about?”
Elijah glanced up from his glass of water, eyeing Lucas when he sidled next to him.
“You’re gonna have to be a little more clear about what you’re talking about.”
“Scarlett. You took her outside, and then she left like her hair was on fire.”
He snorted. “Still don’t know what you are getting at.”
Lucas gave him a shove. “You stole her from me.”
“I did nothing of the sort.” He took a long sip of his water. “I had a discussion with her, and if she decided to leave, that’s on her.” It was probably a good thing she took off anyway. If she’d stayed longer, there was no telling what Elijah might have done. He’d nearly kissed her out there, and only the good Lord saw fit to hold him back.
“You like her, don’t you?” Lucas’s accusation came out of nowhere, causing Elijah to shoot him a sharp look.
“What?”
“Yeah, I see it now. You like her, and you’re jealous that she’s interested in me.”
He straightened, rolling his shoulders back before facing his brother. “She’s not interested in you, Lucas. If she were, she would have stayed.”
His brother shook his head, a sly smile spreading across his face. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. You’ve been making goo-goo eyes at her ever since she arrived.”
“Have not. I didn’t even want her to be here. I think she should just go back to Germany where she came from.”
“Liar,” Lucas laughed. “You’re lying through your teeth, and if you believe even a word of what you’re spouting off, you have bigger problems to worry about.”
“Yeah?” Elijah spat. “Like what?”
“Like the fact that you have a crush on a woman who might not be interested in dating anyone. Like that she’s Annabel’s best friend and they’re just starting to reconnect. What are you going to tell her?”
“You were going to ask her out. How’s that any different?” Elijah grimaced, hating how defensive his tone had become.
Lucas laughed, a sound that grated against Elijah’s nerves so much he wanted to knock his brother’s teeth out… again, for the second time this week. “The difference is that I was going to ask her on one date—maybe make out with her a little. But you? You’re attracted to her in a different way. You’ve never been the type who was okay with short-term relationships. You’re falling for her.”
“Am not,” Elijah grumbled.
