“Where’s Aidan?” I ask, noticing how he didn’t follow Liam into the kitchen.
“Ah, he’s checking on little Kostalova—I mean O’Rourke,” he corrects with a wince, quickly checking over his shoulder to make sure Aidan didn’t hear him. I don’t think our brother would appreciate Liam calling his newwifeby her maiden name.
“Briar’s staying the night,” I inform him, which earns me two raised brows.
“Is she now?”
I nod slowly. Don’t start,I warn him with my eyes.
“Roger that,” Liam smirks.
I check the meat thermometer on the chicken. It’s almost done. Annoyance rolls through me at how easily Briar and Liam have caught on. The two have been chatting nonstop for the past fifteen minutes.
Briar’s sitting at the counter, head propped up on her hands as she asks endless questions about hockey, our family, and our life. It’s segued into Liam sharing a few stories about us growing up, and I’ve had to cut him off twice already from sharing too much.
I watch them intently, but my gaze is more focused on Briar. Liam’s been asking her questions, too, but her answers are short and stilted like she’s holding herself back from giving away too much. Still, it’s the most I think I’ve ever heard her talk.
Liam is good at making her laugh. She’s so different when she’s happy; her guard isn’t fully down, but she’s lowered it, and it’s giving me a glimpse into therealBriar. The girl Iremember from the night we spent together years ago. Sharp edges softened, her laugh is light and genuine, and I almost ruin the sauce, because I’m too busy paying attention to her to notice it boiling again.
Aidan appears in the archway, likely drawn in by the scent of dinner that’s nearly done.
“How was practice?” I ask.
He comes around the island, his green eyes eyeing Briar and Liam curiously as he reaches behind me and swipes one of the rolls from the bowl I just put out. They haven’t seen him yet.
“Fine.” He leans back against the counter next to me, taking a bite from the roll. “That the girl you’ve been pretending doesn’t exist?” he asks quietly in my ear.
I scoff and shove him lightly, and he lets out a laugh.
The sound alerts Briar and Liam to his presence, and her reaction is immediate.
She freezes, shoulders stiffening, anxiety flashing in her eyes.
Interesting.
Although, I guess the last time Briar saw Aidan, he was bashing someone’s face in with a baseball bat…
I place the dishes and silverware on the island for Liam to set the table. He takes hold of the dishes, but not before Briar swipes up the silverware, turning back to the table as if she means to help.
“No,” I say, and Liam looks up. “Don’t let her help. She’s injured.”
Liam moves quick as lightning, snatching the silverware out of Briar’s hands before she even realizes he moved.
“Hey!”
Liam just shrugs. “Sorry, mystery girl. Boss’ orders.”
She turns to scowl at me, and I give her a look.
Briar slides down off the stool. She’s so short that when she’s sitting on it, her feet don’t touch the ground. Slowly, she makes her way across the kitchen to the table.
I lean over the island, snapping to get Liam’s attention. Briar’s back is to me.Help her,I mouth to him, pointing at Briar currently limping across the kitchen.
He drops the plates and silverware on the table and circles back around it, attempting to assist Briar, but she swats him away. He looks between her and me, his hands hovering around her in case she falls, and I can tell he doesn’t want to touch her.
I look up at the ceiling. Lord help me.
With Briar safely seated, Liam finishes setting the table, and a few minutes later, Aidan helps me bring the food over. But not before swiping another bread roll from the basket.
