“Have we missed anything?”
They turned to watch Gus and Ash walk in. Gus’s smile told her he was happy to be with his brother, and for that alone she could handle seeing Ashford Charlton again.
They were big, vital men. Men who made the box feel smaller—or was that just Ash? Dorrie fought to subdue the sudden thump of her heartbeat.
“No, it is just about to begin,” Luke said.
Chairs were adjusted, and Dorrie moved to the end of the row so everyone could take a seat and she would have Somer on her left and no one on her right. Her twin moved along one and left a seat spare for Ash.
“Good evening, Dorrie.” He sat beside her.
“Good evening, Ash.”
“You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” She could be polite. She’d grown up having manners hammered into her by her elder siblings.
“I would like to speak with you, Dorrie.” He said the words softly, leaning closer to her.
“As I am right beside you and we are speaking, I’m not sure what else you need to say.”
“Your tone is waspish.”
She faced him. He was laughing at her.
“I am being polite; please note the difference.” She looked for those with big ears in her family, but none were watching her. All looking at the scene unfolding below them.
She leaned over the edge to focus on the battle. A hand in her skirt tugged her back into her seat.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to speak with you, and lovely though your bottom is, I would rather speak to your face.”
“Stop that.” She slapped his hand, and he released her skirts. “What is wrong with you speaking in such a way when you know what some of my family are capable of?”
“I have accepted, Dorrie.”
He was smiling at her, a gentle smile. Now she was looking at him, she could see his face looked different. The tension seemed to have gone.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Ash.”
“I have accepted that I need my brother in my life. I have accepted that I need help to find the man who tried to break me.”
“And failed,” Dorrie added.
“And failed. Thank you for adding that.”
“It’s the truth. You are not broken, just a bit dented here and there.”
“Dents can be beaten out, I believe?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No. I’m just happy to be here sitting with you and my brother. With my family.”
The breath caught in her throat. “Y-Your family?”
“My family,” he confirmed.
