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“So the great Austin Drew is worried about a girl not liking him? Honestly, man. I never thought I'd see the day. You must really like Jane,” Chris said with a knowing look.
Austin sat back in his seat and processed what his brother just said, “So tell me, what do I do now?”
“I don't know man, I guess you’ve got to tell her how you feel.”
“Just like that?” Austin asked, looking at his brother like he was crazy.
Chris happened to look up as the door to the pub opened. “I don't know man, but you just might get a chance to say something to her right now. Her sister has just arrived, and I bet Jane isn’t too far behind.”
Austin turned his head and instantly locked eyes with Ali, who was talking with the hostess. He smiled in a friendly manner, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jane, but Ali was alone. He was taken aback when Ali simply stared at him, almost looking at him as if she didn’t know who he was.
“Shit, man.” Chris was confused. He could see that Ali looked pissed “Did you upset both sisters? She’s looking at you like she wants to kill you.”
Austin knew his brother was telling the truth, “See what I mean? I don't know what I freaking did.”
* * *
Ali immediately felther body heat up from head to toe the instant she laid eyes on Austin and his brother. All she wanted to do was walk over to Austin and give him a piece of her mind. She was infuriated to see him sitting there with his brother, smiling at her as if there was nothing wrong. He was so bloody cocky. This is exactly why her sister needed to stay away from him.
Ali had just spent the last hour listening to her sister vent about Molly McKee and Austin. It had been hard to listen to her sister talk about how awkward and embarrassed she had felt standing with the two of them in the restaurant, obviously into each other. She had tried to remind her sister about Austin Drew a week ago. He was simply not the type of guy who falls for a regular woman. He falls for women like Molly, who has family money, status, and a prep school pedigree. He doesn’t fall for women like Jane—no matter how beautiful and talented she is. Jane always tries to see the best in people but, unfortunately, this time she is just hurting herself. She knew Jane needed to accept that and stop wasting her time on someone who is just using her.
After a long and emotional discussion, they both realized they were hungry and decided to order takeout rather than cooking. Ali volunteered to drive over to Patrick’s and pick up their order, and then, of course, the first person she sees is Austin Drew.
It burned her to see him sitting there with his brother, drinking a beer, laughing, and having a good time while her sister was home nursing a broken heart. At that moment, Ali knew that she needed to do something and, even though Jane might be upset, she didn’t care. If Jane wasn’t going to stick up for herself, Ali was going to do it for her. That’s what sisters do.
The moment the hostess handed her the takeout bag, instead of going back to the parking lot, she walked directly over to Austin and his brother seated at the bar. They were now in full conversation with the bartender, but she couldn’t care less. She had one thing on her mind, and she was not going home until she had words with Austin Drew.
“Austin,” she said abruptly, interrupting their conversation.
Austin turned around, surprised to see Ali standing there, “Oh, hi. It’s Ali, right?”
“That’s right,” Ali said curtly, as his brother turned to see what was going on.
“Jane with you?” Austin asked, trying to sound casual.
“No,” Ali stated. “She’s not. And, as a matter of fact, I’m glad she’s not here because I wouldn’t have had a chance to come over and ask you to do me a favor: just stay away from my sister. You hurt her once by humiliating her in high school, and I’ll be damned if I watch you do it again.”
“Again?” Austin asked, shocked by Ali’s outburst.
“Yes, again, and don’t look so surprised,” Ali replied, feeling herself ready to unleash. “I realize you have to work together, but please stay away from her. She loves her job, and I don’t want it ruined for her, but she needs to move on. Parading Molly McKee in her face is making things worse. Do you have any sensitivity at all? And, for the record, I’ve told my sister that you’re not worth it. If I had my way, she’d find a new job,” Ali added with fury in her eyes. Then she turned around and headed for the door, not waiting for him, or his brother, to respond.
Austin sat silent for a good 10 seconds, processing what had just happened. He finally turned to his brother who was sitting there in stunned silence.
“What the hell was that?” Chris asked.
