“Lachlan and I will always put you two first. You’re our sisters. We love you to death. Nothing will ever change that.”
Taryn arched an eyebrow. “So why exactly is my brother coming into town tomorrow? And insisting on staying at Aaron’s hotel?”
I bit my lip. Something I didn’t normally do. “Uh…I dunno.”
Slowly, both women smiled.
“Oh, we bet you do.” Taryn was clearly confidently speaking for both of them.
I pursed my lips. “Shuddup and let me ruin my own life.”
Wider smiles. “Oh, but this is going to be fun to watch.” Stephanie winked.
Chapter Nine
Lachlan
I hadn’t expected to be greeted by Taryn, Stephanie, and Cooper. I’d texted my flight information to Taryn so that if the plane crashed, she’d know the airline calling her was real.
I was a little neurotic that way.
Instead of being picked up, I’d assumed I would rent and car and drive myself to the Grand Hotel.
Beyond that, I had no plans.
As I exited the baggage area and caught sight of my sister and her wife, I grinned. They looked so incredibly happy—Stephanie with an arm around Taryn and Taryn tucked into her side.
Then I saw the man who’d haunted my dreams for the past couple of weeks. During the day, I’d think about the honeymooning couple. At night, Cooper was always there—just out of reach.
Well, he’s within reach now—are you going to go say hi?
Before I could act on the impulse to pull him into my arms and never let go, Taryn broke away from Stephanie and almost ran to me.
I bent to meet her embrace—ensuring I didn’t hit her with my messenger bag.
Cooper was there to relieve me of it so I could soak up my sister’s affection.
“Hey, it’s not like I wasn’t here three weeks ago.”
Taryn pulled back and swatted my shoulder. “You dolt. I always want you here. I miss you when you’re gone and can’t wait for you to come back. You’re my brother, Lachlan. I’ll always want you here.”
“Unlike me, who can quite do withoutmybrother.” Stephanie said the words deadpan, but her bright eyes gave lie to her words.
“Hey.” Cooper frowned, but clearly his mock offense didn’t fool everyone as we all laughed.
Taryn remained tucked against me. “So, we’re all going to Fifties for dinner. Stephanie and I haven’t gone in weeks, and we’ve got a hankering for diner food.”
I glanced at Cooper. “Uh, all of us?”
“Oh, of course. Cooper’s going to drive you.” Stephanie grabbed Taryn’s hand and headed toward the automatic doors to the outside.
Cooper snagged the arm of my suitcase. He’d barely tipped it so the wheels would work when he scowled. “What did you bring, rocks?”
“Something like that.” I almost insisted he give it to me, but I liked watching his arm muscles flex under his tight T-shirt.
Arms that had held me just as snugly.
Arms I’d escaped from before the morning light on the day after the wedding.
