“This is a lot of food.”
“Not really,” Josie carried the tray of eggplant lasagna to the island, then pulled out the loaf of bread she’d baked.
“Five table settings?”
“You’re very observant.”
“Josie?”Ares brushed his hand down her arm.
“I might have invited guests over.”Her heart thundered in her chest, to wanting him to be disappointed.But since the kidnapping, Ares and Xander had hardly spoken.
“May I ask who?”
“People.You know.Potential neighbours.”
Ares laughed.“I guess we can tell them about the wedding.”
“I love my mom and our extended family but like most only children, I always wanted a sister.Harper’s been a good friend to me.I don't want to lose her as a sister because you and Xander aren’t speaking.If you want me not to talk to her and still maintain your distance, I'll respect that.I don’t know,” Josie shook her head, sending her curls bouncing.“I thought you needed a nudge, so I sent Harper a text.”
Ares hugged her, kissed her forehead.“You’re right.I did need a nudge.Thanks for inviting them.I’ve missed them.”
“I don’t feel that you ignore me for Xander and it's not like I feel that you put me last, even when you were working.I work too.Or I did.”
“Did you send that application in?”Ares ran his knuckles gently over her cheek.She shuddered.
“No.”
“Consider this a nudge.Send it and then see.”
Cecilia had given her the details of a recipe developer job.It was to test a recipe and then write about it for a major food magazine.She’d put it aside, worried that she wasn’t good enough.
“Okay.”
A chiming sound echoed through the house.“Guess they’re here.”He threaded his hand through hers.
“You’re not nervous, are you?”
“Me?Yes, I am.”
Josie giggled.“It’ll be fine.Good even.”
Ares tapped the code in, then opened the door.“Hi.”
“Hi?”I haven’t seen you for two weeks and you say ‘hi’?Doesn’t a brother deserve more than that?”Logan strode into the house as if he owned it, gave Ares a bear hug.
“I see your cast is off,” Josie said.
“Yeah, it’s so nice.I’m trying to bulk it back up.”
“He shouldn’t be going so hard either, but someone likes to go against doctor's orders,” Harper rushed forward, threw her arms around Ares.
“And someone’s not going to sit for a week if she keeps criticizing her Dom,” Logan said back, but Josie saw the twinkle in his eye.
“Hi, love, I missed you,” Harper flew into Ares’s arms with a yelp.
“Nice digs,” Xander said.He stayed by the wall, his gaze roaming over the layout.
“Xander, it’s nice to see you!Thanks for coming for lunch.Can I show you around?”
