“William Jonathon Murphy.” My sister exclaims.
“Don’t you dare full name me, Ayla Murphy Barone.” That so doesn’t have the same effect.
“You sure you want this?” Cian motions with his fork to my side of the table.
“I’m sure I don’t.”
“Tough shit. I saved you. From rape or murder, or maybe even from a good dismembering. The way I see it, you owe me.”
“Ass.”
“Don’t forget it, sweetheart.” I stab whatever meat is on my plate and fork it into my mouth.
She’s right. I am being an ass. We’re in this together, but fuck.
“Fine.” I set my fork down and wipe my mouth with my napkin. “I’ve thought this through. If they’re coming at us separately, it’ll be more costly for them, but that’s only because their attorneys think this is an open-and-shut case times two.” I lift two fingers. “If they come at us as a unit, we have several things on our side. My behavior becomes more along the lines of self-defense. Your insurance might cover both of our actions.”
“Both. What do you suspect I did to warrant any of this?”
“You, dear Lorien, allowed the rabid dog into your house that attacked those innocent men as they carried boxes.”
“I most certainly did not.”
“But what will a jury believe?” Cian asks quietly.
“Here’s what I think,” I begin. “These are just my thoughts, so I’m open to what everyone else wants to put in. You and I eloped after you began working with your realtor, but before you moved in. It’s why you chose that unit. We need a date. It can’t be too long ago because the certificate has to be filed in the next two and half to three weeks to be valid. We planned to move into your unit and rent mine out on those short-term rental web sites to pay your mortgage.”
“What about your mortgage?” Lorien sits taller in her chair, chin lifted, poking holes in my plan.
“I don’t have one.”
As if I deflated her balloon, she shrinks by two inches. All the while, my sister and brother’s gazes bore holes in me.
“Must be nice,” Cian says.
“I’m not complaining. As I was saying, we need a prenup.”
Her eyes blaze fire. “You think I’ll steal your what? Motorcycle?”
“I think you want to own your own home without someone else on the deed when this is all done. I think you don’t want the liability on my vehicles. It protects your home as much as it protects mine.”
“Fudge nuggets.” The word is quiet as she uses her fork to move food around on her plate, not ever taking a bite.
“Eat.” I use my utensils to gesture at her plate.
Lorien
“We can dissolve our legal union when this is all said and done. No harm, no foul.”
No harm, no foul? He can’t be serious, can he?
“How romantic.” Ayla pops her joined fists under her chin and bats her lashes at her brother. She turns to me and adds, “I’d apologize for him but at least you know who he is.”
The man in question levels her with his gaze.
“Fine. I love you more than words, but you could at least try to be nice about this. She’s in the same boat you are and doesn’t deserve your wrath any more than Sophia does.”
His face softens, and his eyes meet mine. “Sorry. I’ve never proposed before.”
