He missed that brotherhood the most. So odd to find it here, with Reid and his girlfriend. And with Erin, a woman he wanted like his next breath.
Erin stood with Naomi, oblivious to his self-discovery, and the two laughed as they walked to the dining table together, where Erin’s lemon treats and a strawberry rhubarb pie sat waiting. Reid brought coffee and cups on a tray from the kitchen, his mouth full of lemony goodness.
He looked shamefaced at Naomi and said with his mouth full, “I’m sorry, honey. I had to. They’resogood.”
Erin blushed, looking pleased at the compliment.
“She’s pretty awesome,” Smith agreed, and dared to wrap his arm around Erin’s shoulders. She looked up at him, her cheeks pink, and it was all he could do not to lean down and plant a soft kiss on her lips, his feelings overwhelming and confusing at the same time.
Instead, he squeezed her in a half hug then sat in front of the desserts.
“I didn’t bake anything chocolate this time,” Naomi said to him. “So you don’t have to pretend to like it.”
Caught, Smith looked up to see the kindness in her eyes. Something he wouldn’t have credited the woman who regularly chewed out Reid and Cash on a weekly basis.
“Oh, ah, that’s okay. The cake was good, I just—”
“He’s allergic to chocolate,” Erin flat out lied. “He hates to admit any weaknesses, but he gets hives if he eats it. He didn’t want you to feel bad is all.”
Smith just looked at her. What the hell was she talking about?
Reid slapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, no problem, bro. We all have our weaknesses.”
Smith didn’t know if he liked Reid calling him bro, but since he’d done the same earlier, he couldn’t exactly complain. Reid seemed happy, and Smith, for once, didn’t want to ruin his good mood.
“What’s your weakness?” Smith asked, sincere.
Reid stared at him. “A need to make everything right for my family.” His hand tightened on Smith’s shoulder. “Allmy family, even my annoying little brother who never asks for help but should.”
To saythe dessert fell into an awkward silence wouldn’t have done Reid’s statement justice. Erin waited, watching the brothers weigh the other, the quiet a heavy oppression on an otherwise fabulous evening.
“Um, Erin, could you help me with the tea?” Naomi rose from the table.
“Gladly.” Erin darted into the kitchen with her. Though the dining area could be seen easily from the kitchen, by backing toward the fridge, the ladies kept out of sight from the brotherly combatants measuring each other over the table.
“Wow. This is one of those times where you feel like you can actually cut the tension with a knife. And Reid was doing so well, too.” Naomi sighed.
“Do they normally get along?” Erin had seen an easy sense of acceptance from both men tonight, and the dinner had been a lot of fun. Her misconceptions about Naomi sat like rocks in her belly. Naomi was as goofy, entertaining, and as sweet as she was beautiful and poised. Erin really liked her.
“Reid gets along with everyone,” Naomi explained in a quiet voice. “But his mother did a number on all her sons. She ignored Reid and Cash and tossed Smith away. Now Smith is back and upset with the world, and if you ask me, he’s envious of the way Reid and Cash grew up together. He had no one.”
Erin nodded. “But I think he wants that.” She hoped she wasn’t being disloyal by speaking up. “He’s kind of like me, alone and wondering why. Well, I know why I’m alone. I moved away from home and got dumped by my ex.”
Naomi frowned. “That’s terrible. Good riddance, Erin.”
“I know.” She truly believed that. Mostly. She still needed closure with Cody, but that could wait until she was ready. “I met Smith at a low point in my life. He didn’t seem like he would be so nice, but he’s been a sweetheart about all of it. Helpful and kind, and he’s never taken advantage.”Even when I wanted him to.
Naomi nodded. “He comes across as rough and a little angry, but there’s more to him.”
“Tonight means something. I can tell.”
“Good. I want Reid happy. And he wants to make Smith happy, part of the family. But I keep telling him not to force things.”
The men started talking in a tone Erin could hear, not about family or brothers, but about soccer, of all things. Erin didn’t follow much of the conversation, but she and Naomi found it safe to return to the table.
After coffee, dessert, and feeling like a stuffed cow, Erin thanked her hosts, promised a rematch of trivia, and left with a silent Smith.
In the truck, she reached for his hand. “Are you okay?”
