But I can feel him watching me, and my skin prickles with awareness that has nothing to do with anger and everything to do with the way he’s looking at me, like he’s savoring every second of getting under my skin.
I’m halfway through organizing my files when I hear him mutter under his breath, “Ice Princess strikes again.”My fingers freeze over the keyboard.
That does it.Two can play this game, and he’s about to find out exactly what happens when you mess with the Ice Princess.
“So, Eve Lopez, huh?”Natalie’s voice is stern, and I flinch from the living room couch of the penthouse she shares with my brother.
She’s sitting across from me holding a glass of cinnamon milk in her hand.Changed into comfortable pajamas, she’s looking more relaxed, her baby bump evident under the pink blouse.
“I read her name when you sent me the brief.I just didn’t register it,” I defend myself as I watch her sip the milk, the smell of the cinnamon reaching me.
I never knew what it was like to have an older sister till I met her.She will scold me and spoil me in the same heartbeat.And she’s always feeding me.Life is good with Natalie around.Not to mention, Ethan sure has changed since he met her.His domineering attitude has softened considerably over these past few months.
But only around Natalie.
The whole Jekyll and Hyde Ethan has going on with us brothers versus Natalie doesn’t make it any less fascinating to see him dote over her.But then, she also keeps him in line.If he’s harsh with any of us, she gives him an earful.She balances him out, sweet and welcoming to his cold and disapproving.
I like her.I’ve liked her since I met her.She’s good for Ethan.Plus, I’m her favorite sibling of the lot.Megan doesn’t count.
Which is why disappointing her sucks.
“We’re lucky she decided not to blab,” Natalie sighs.“Ethan would not be happy.”
“You’ve not told him?”I sit up, relieved.He’d kick my ass if he knew about my screw-up.
“Of course not.”Natalie rolls her eyes.“I wasn’t born yesterday.But I am curious.Why doesn’t she like you?I sensed a lot of hostility from her aimed at you.”
“You’re imagining things?—”
“Caleb.”There is a warning edge to her voice.“I need to know.In case things go south.”
Sighing, I lean back on the couch.“It’s nothing.We weren’t exactly friends in college.We competed for first place, and we never got along.”
“That’s it?”Natalie asks, suspiciously.“That doesn’t warrant that level of dislike.What are you not telling me?”
I run my tongue over my teeth.“She used to have a nickname in college.I might have been the one who gave it to her.”
“What kind of nickname?”
“Ice Princess.”
Natalie goes still.“Excuse me?”
“You didn’t know her then, Nat!”I protest, immediately defending myself.“She was so stuck up.She always thought she was better than everybody else.She was a bitc?—”
“I would not finish that sentence if I were you.”Natalie’s eyes turn icy, and I clamp my lips together.“Whatever your problem with her is, calling her by that word is unacceptable.And I know your mother would be very angry if she heard you use that word for any woman.”
Guiltily, I look away.“Sorry.”She’s right.I was raised to respect women, not use derogatory terms for them.If my mother was here, she’d have things to say to me over my choice of words.
Fortunately, Natalie’s temper burns hot and bright, and it diffuses just as fast.
“So you don’t like her.Why?”
“I just told you?—”
Natalie eyes me.“You expect me to believe something so surface-level?What is it?Did you ask her out, and she turned you down?”
I scoff.“No.She’s just arrogant.She’s always been like this.I’ve not been here a week and a half, and she’s already told me she doesn’t like me.”
