“But—”
“You think she’s cool to you now?” Enzo put his hands on my shoulders. “She’ll completely push you outside her walls if she feels threatened.”
“What do I do then? Pretend I didn’t see any of this?” My pulse hammered against my ribs. I liked Sasha—Alex. I wanted to get to know her more—especially now I didn’t have the guilt of her being with someone else hanging over my head.
“That’s exactly what you do,” Enzo offered a sympathetic smile. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Enz! Finn? What are you guys up to?” Alex’s voice carried down the hall.
“Coming, sis!” Enzo called back before shaking me. “Promise me you won’t say anything. At least while we’re here.”
“I’ll try,” my mouth felt like sand.
“Great!” Enzo slapped me on the back, his usual jovial nature returning. “Let’s go see what Jason’s up to. Dinner should be about ready anyway, and Diana should be here soon.”
“Diana?”
“Second oldest, just under Alex. Then Marcus, then Jason, then me.” We headed down the hall. “I have an older brother back in Argentina, but he’s married with his own family.”
We arrived in the kitchen where Alex was checking the oven. Afternoon light warmed white stone countertops and ash brown cabinets, spilling across the island and into the living room. Sheer curtains shifted in the breeze of the open patio door in the dining area, revealing an outdoor table set with colorful linens and surrounded by cushion-covered benches and chairs.
I sighed in contentment.
“Hey Sash?” Jason called from where he was looking out the front window. “Didn’t you tell Graham not to come ‘round here anymore?”
The sound of something hitting the floor and shattering made us all jump, my hand automatically grabbing Enzo’s arm. I sheepishly released my grip with an apologetic smile.
“Damnit,” Alex huffed, crouching down and picking up large pieces of what used to be a platter.
“Let me help,” I crouched beside her and took the pieces, grateful for something to do. “You get the broom.”
“Thank you,” her voice was hollow. She stood and walked away as Enzo pulled the trash can out from under the sink.
“Who is Graham?” I whispered, collecting smaller pieces.
“Sasha’s ex,” Enzo’s voice carried a hard edge. “He cheated onher, then told her it was because she was too fussy and too big to be attractive anymore.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“Yeah. He’s an asshole sales bro. They’re a dime a dozen around here.”
Alex returned with a broom and dustpan. I stood to take them, but she held tight. “Let me do it,” she looked up at me, eyes sharp with anger and grief.
“Say the word and I’ll throw him out.” The words came out lower and more dangerous than I’d intended.
“You can’t,” she shrugged, managing a weak smile. “He’s dating my sister.”
Chapter9
How to apologize for being an idiot
Finn
I wasn’t sure I was hiding my absolute rage toward Graham as we all sat at the patio table, but he didn’t seem to notice. I was at least doing better than Enzo, who was straight-up glaring daggers at the man sitting on Diana’s far side. To her credit, Alex had been the picture of complete professional detachment as she greeted her sister with a hug and offered a small nod toward Graham.
The guy looked exactly like every sales bro I’d encountered in Southern California—soft around the middle, blond hair that had been over-styled to look effortless, and a specific brand of confidence that came from never being told no by anyone who mattered. His entire outfit screamed obviously-expensive casual—the kind designed to communicate success regardless of actual success. When he laughed at his own jokes, his teeth were too white, too straight, too perfect.
As far as I was concerned, Alex could do much better even if she were dating a turnip. Enzo had offered to throw him out as well, but Alex told us both to behave.
