“You’re not,” Ruth assures me, patting my hand sympathetically. “This is my chance to find out what Knox was like when he was younger and I’m not wasting it.”
“Really? I’m not ruining your night?” I ask, feeling grateful for the woman my brother chose to be with. “You haven’t even asked why there are rose petals scattered all over your living room floor.”
“They add color to the place, I can’t complain.”
I smile, my first genuine smile in what feels like forever. “So, you want to know about Knox’s crazy past?”
She nods eagerly, leaning in closer. “What was he like when you were a kid?”
I smile fondly. “He took care of me. I was just a kid, so I didn’t even realize how much he sacrificed for me, you know? He was busy raising a child and taking care of our mother when he was barely an adult himself. He was always there for me.”
“Is that why you’re sad?” she asks. “Do you feel like he’s not paying much attention to you now that he has a fiancée?”
I blink at her as the meaning of her words sets in.
“Christ, is that what you think?” I ask, alarmed that my emotions could be misinterpreted this way. Shit, of course she would be confused when I’ve acted like a brat for the short time she’s known me. “I’m not…it’s not Knox I’m mad at. I couldn’t be happier for him. For both of you. Having a sister is something I’ve always wanted, and I’m glad that it’s you,” I say, taking her hands before dropping my eyes to the scattered petals. “It’s not Knox’s attention I’m craving.”
“Someone else then?”
I nod. “I haven’t seen him once since we got here.”
Ruth goes quiet for a moment and I sense it the second she realizes. “Kyle?” she gasps. “The handsome redheaded prospect that everyone adores? That Kyle?”
Jealousy sends ice chilling my blood. “What do you mean everyone adores him? He’s seeing someone?”
She laughs, her eyes lighting up with humor. “Not that I know of,” she assures me. “He just gets along with everyone so we’re all fond of him. Are you telling me that he’s ignoring you?”
“Yes,” I say, staring back down at the petals. “Something happened on the trip, and I thought…at least, it felt like there were feelings between us, but since we arrived, he’s gone missing and I know he’s avoiding me.”
“He’s probably nervous about facing Knox,” Ruth says with a kind smile. “You have no idea how protective your brother is. When he got your call, he was ready to come for you even after the accident. Saint and I had to tell him that he wouldn’t be ableto drive you through several states with that many injuries. He could barely walk.”
“I was a little hurt when he didn’t come to get me himself.”
“He wanted to, quite desperately,” she assures me. “Knox cares deeply about you and Kyle knows this. I bet that’s why he’s waiting things out first.”
“But he’s hurting me,” I choke out, finally letting go of the tears that have been clogging my throat. “Why is it so easy for him to just ignore me? He hasn’t checked on me, not once since I got here!”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Ruth whispers, pulling me into a warm hug, and I realize that I’ve been getting a lot of those lately. “Give him time and he’ll come around—”
A knock on the door cuts her off and we both turn to stare at it. It comes again before the voice I’ve been missing calls out, “Viv, are you in there?”
“Well, I guess he’s come around.” Ruth chuckles, running the back of her hands over my wet cheeks. “There now, don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying,” I sniff.
She laughs. “And they say I’m stubborn.” She gives me another quick hug before getting up. “I think I’ll leave you two to talk, and I’ll go see where my fiancé wandered off to.”
I grab her hand before she can leave, offering her a smile. “I was being honest when I said that I’m glad it’s you. Knox is the luckiest man alive.”
She returns my smile, and I spot the bright sheen in her eyes and the emotions dancing on her expression. “I’ll be sure to remind him of that.” She walks to the door and opens it, moving aside to let Kyle in. “Nice jacket,” she comments as he walks past her, and my eyes are quickly drawn to it as well.
“Thanks,” Kyle responds, waiting until Ruth has left before shutting the door and turning to me.
And Christ, he looks so good, even though I want to hate him for leaving me in doubt for as long as he did. Heck, maybe he’s here to put the final nail the coffin and put an end to things.
I force myself to breathe, to slow down my runaway emotions, but when his eyes meet mine, I find myself drowning in them. Those beautiful forest-green eyes I spent all night thinking about. My stomach twists when he takes a step forward, his eyes…panicked.
“You’re crying,” he says thickly, rushing forward and kneeling in front of me. He places his hands on my lap as his eyes search mine. “What’s wrong, baby?”
