Aiden pinches my chin and turns my head so that I’m looking at him as he raises an eyebrow. “You’re barely saying anything to me this morning. Something’s up. Talk to me.”
“I’m fine, I promise.” My lips pinch together.
Aiden tightens his hold on my stomach and pinches my chin harder so I can’t escape his sharp gaze as he watches my every micro-expression.
I smile, shrugging off his concern and refusing to allow him to pry this information out of me. It’s embarrassing and not something I want to talk about.
Aiden is a playboy.
I’m introverted.
We’re on opposite sides of the spectrum, in two different worlds. He smooth talks his way into sleeping with whoever he wants, and I clam up and look for the nearest exit.
While squirming under his gaze, I consider asking him for help. He’d know all the ins and outs of how to win over a man. But I shove that thought aside.
Nope. Asking my brother for help would be weird.
He tilts his head, the dangling silver sword earring swaying below his ear from the slight movement. “If you’re sure, but you know I’m here for you. You know I’d do anything for you.”
I smile and place a chaste kiss on his cheek before stepping out of his grasp. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”
I pour the chai smoothie into my pink thermos, then check my phone for new notifications.
Aiden sidles up to me and leans his hip against the counter. “You know, sis, I’ve noticed you’ve been more attached to your phone over the last few weeks.” He takes advantage of me being distracted and plucks the thermos from my grasp. “I’m feeling a bit neglected over here. Like I’m chopped liver or something.”
I frown and try to snatch my drink from his hand. He smirks and holds it out of reach.
Rolling my eyes, I hold out my hand. “Because I’m talking to my friends. Now give it back.”
“Mmhm. Friends. Are any of thesefriendsboys?” His smile sharpens, bordering on wolfish. It’s so unlike his usual easy, boyish grin.
“It’s not like it matters.” I fold my arms over my chest and raise my chin.
“So it is a guy.” Aiden lowers the thermos until the straw is right in front of his parted lips. His gaze drops down my body like he’s assessing everything that’s wrong with me.
My fingers ball into tight fists as Aiden looks me over as though he’s trying to find a reason a guy would ever want to talk to me as more than a friend. When his attention floats back to my face and catches the remnants of my insecurity, his eyes soften.
“Fuck, sis.” He pushes away from the counter, closes the gap between us, and hooks his arm around my waist. “I’m sorry. I was teasing you.”
“It’s okay.” I lean into his chest and bury my face in his shoulder while I hug him.
He rubs gentle circles on my back. “It’s not okay. I hurt you.” He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “I’m sorry.”
I smooth my hands over the bare skin that isn’t covered by his black crop top. “Are you staying out late again tonight?”
He drops his hand and steps back, eyeing me and catching on to my deflection. He always does. “Yeah. Don’t wait up for me. Like I said earlier, Mickey is busting my balls by avoiding being alone. It’s like he knows what we’re planning.”
“I don’t think he knows.” I shrug and glance at the pink thermos he’s still holding hostage. “He’s always been a coward and needed people around him to inflate his ego.”
Aiden follows the path of my gaze and considers the pink cup while he says, “You’re right when you’re right. Is this your green-tea chai?”
“Yep.” I narrow my eyes at him and reach for my cup.
“My favorite.” He beams a quick smile before wrapping his lips around the straw. His gaze meets mine, and he sucks a mouthful of my smoothie.
I sigh.
I knew it.
