“No.” Derrick didn’t want her scared off by Dylan and his shrinkiness. Or worse, that she might become infatuated with the wrong Warren twin. They’d had their share of partners over the years who had switched preferences during the course of a relationship. But none of those had mattered. Sydney mattered.
“Tell me, Derrick. What exactly did you guys talk about? Gage? Mom? Me?”
Derrick huffed. “The world does not revolve around you, Dr. Dork.”
“Immature, but then, I’d expect that of you. Iamolder.”
“By two minutes.” He frowned. He hated being reminded that Dylan outranked him, that he even cared and that Dylan knew it.
His brother smirked. “So what’s the big deal if I take Sydney out to dinner? I like her style. Hailey’s told me all about her. And the way she reacted to you shows her to be a smart woman. You afraid she might prefer me over you?”
Yes.“Hell no.”
“Afraid I might have her out of those panties before we get to dessert?”
“I swear to God, Dylan,” Barbara said from behind him. “You and I really need to have a talk.”
Dylan froze and crossed his eyes. Then he slumped and banged his forehead on the countertop while Gage and Derrick howled with laughter.
“I swear. It’s like she’s psychic,” Dylan muttered. “You never hear my sage points, Mom. Only when I get crass, and I only do it so Derrick and your baby-maker can understand me.”
Gage frowned. “Quit calling me that.”
“Yes, Dylan. Stop baiting Gage.” Barbara sighed. “Why don’t you find a nice girl or boy to bring home and I’ll pay you the attention you feel you need.”
“Mom,” Dylan protested, but she cut him off.
“Otherwise you wouldn’t be calling your brother names. It’s jealousy, plain and simple.”
While Dylan argued with her about his true feelings, Derrick nudged Gage aside and helped him put a few groceries away. “So where’s Hailey?”
“Where do you think?” Gage said in a low voice. “Getting the lowdown from you-know-who.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“Yeah, you do.” Gage grinned. “And for all those comments, making fun of me with Hailey? Remember? How lame I was to be falling for thatchick with the great rack?”
Derrick groaned at the reminder.
“Well, take a look in the mirror, dude. You’re about ten times worse than I was. At least Hailey was talking to me.”
“Sydney’s talking to me too. And I’m not falling for her. Sure, she’s smart and funny. Nice, sexy. So what?”
He realized the room had fallen silent.
“Smart and sexy? Interesting combination, Derrick.” His mother started the eggs and watched him with that clinical expression he hated. “So unlike your usual type.”
He scoffed, wishing the floor would open up and swallow him. “I don’t have a type.”
“Yeah, you do.” Dylan ticked off his fingers. “Dim, long legs, wealthy, hot, large breasts. Sorry, Mom, but blame yourself for breastfeeding us.”
“Christ, Dylan.” Derrick ran a hand over his face, thoroughly disgusted.
Even Gage looked green. “Really, Dylan.”
Their mother laughed. “We won’t go into that. Derrick, we all know you choose women you know you aren’t compatible with in an effort to avoid commitment. Sydney seems different. Nice different.”
“I’ve dated smart women before.”
