You okay?
Peachy,he replied, giving me a gentle squeeze.
I studied him for a few seconds, but we were distracted by dinner being announced, so I couldn’t pull him aside and grill him.
We were seated at the large dining room table, because even though it was just immediate family, there were still dozens of us.
Arric was seated between Gillian and me, and he got more and more distant as dinner wore on. I settled my hand on his thigh and he settled his hand over mine. But then he squeezed my hand and shook his head.
Don’t do that,he growled.
I’d been trying to pry into his thoughts, but he’d figured out how to block me, which I did not like on any level.
What. Is. Wrong?
Leave it, Isla.
I don’t want to leave it. I want to know what’s wrong.
He leaned over like he was going to kiss my cheek, but instead he whispered, “We’ll talk about it when we’re alone. Drop it for now.”
I scowled up at him but dropped it.
Sort of.
How are you blocking me?
He grinned, taking my hand, and lifting it to his mouth.I waited until you were emotional and followed that path.
You choose now to start listening to me?
Chuckling, he leaned down to kiss my cheek. “Behave.”
Brodie pushed back from the table, taking a knife, and clinking it against a glass to get everyone’s attention. “Welcome, everyone. I want to take this opportunity to welcome Gillian home.” He raised his glass. “Sláinte!”
Everyone else raised their glasses with a responding, “Sláinte!” and dinner wrapped up relatively quickly after that.
Dessert was being served outside so the group filed that way, but I held Arric back and pulled him into Payton’s office at the front of the house.
“What is going on?” I demanded.
He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “I really didn’t want to go there right now, Isla.”
“Well I don’t let things go, so let’s settle it now.”
“There’s something off about Gillian.”
“What?” I squeaked. “Why would you say that?”
He shook his head. “Not sure yet. Just something that’s not right.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “That’s just Gillian. She’s a phenomenal doctor, I mean, she delivered me and I’m pretty great.”
His mouth twitched.
“But she’s also hippy dippy and all about peace and love. Everyone has that crazy aunt or uncle, right? She’s ours.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
