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Unable to refuse, I grunted and led her to the shrub-lined path. Her dress was short, something glamorous and streamlined. If she had curves, it would have hugged them.
When Anya saw the extent of the backyard, including the pool surrounded by greenery and the walls set farther back, she frowned. “It’s a little small for an LA home, isn’t it?”
I looked over the backyard. It was perfect in my mind. At her criticism, metaphorical feathers ruffled at the back of my neck. “It’s larger than most. There’s access to the kitchen and the family room with the back patio, and the pool is big enough to swim laps. What’s missing, princess?”
Anya blushed. “I like the nickname.”
I didn’t mean it as a compliment.The collar on my shirt felt like a noose. I slipped my finger into it and pulled on it.
“You like the sweater?” she asked shyly, looking up at me.
I bit back my immediate response. “It’s warm.”
“We need that in New York,” she laughed.
It was official, I was strangled. I wanted to claw the shirt off, jump into the pool, and get this creepy crawling feeling off my skin.
Right then the glass door slid open. I turned around to see Briana stepping out, her sundress fluttering around her knees. The top twisted around the back of her neck, showing off her sun-kissed shoulders.
“Sophia suggested we sit out here. Then you can grill, and we can chat,” Briana said, meeting my gaze.
With that simple comment, she grounded me. And I couldn’t help remembering that she came to LA for me—for me! “That would be great,” I replied. “I can help you bring everything out to the patio.”
Briana held up her hand. “Don’t be silly. You chat with your guest. Anya, can I get you something to drink?”
Anya’s voice was icy. “Bottled water.”
“Natural or bubbly?” Briana countered in that smooth, no-nonsense tone.
“Natural.”
“Coming right up, dear.” Briana sailed back into the house.
“You’re grilling?” Anya asked, curiosity in her voice. “You don’t have a chef?”
“A man should be able to feed his family,” I countered.
“Well, of course, but I would think with your position in the syndicate that you wouldn’t have time for those things.”
Briana came out, bottle in one hand and a charcuterie board in the other. She looked between me and Anya, something dancing in her eyes that I couldn’t place.
“I make it a point to cook for family meals. Family is the most important thing,” I replied to Anya.
“Oh, how...nice.” Anya sounded genuinely perplexed. Mind blown.
“Here’s your water,” Briana said, bringing it over.
“So, you’re Sophia’s little friend?” Anya made a point of glancing over Briana.
“Yep, all five foot ten inches,” Briana quipped, going back to start laying the table settings on the patio table.
“Oh, that’s not what I meant,” Anya laughed, trying to hide her faux pas. “From the way your sister talked about you two, I thought you were both smaller in stature. That’s all.”
Briana hummed. “Enjoy the appetizers. I’ll start on the rest, Tor.”
Anya huffed under her breath. “Show me the rest of the house?”
I looked at the woman, hating that this would be my life. “Alright.”
