But he doubted sugar could solve his problem at the moment…when he felt that problem as soon as it entered the room. Like just then.
He didn’t look up. He didn’t turn around. But he heard the doorbell over the music and the back of his neck prickled. He knew Rachel had just entered the Sunny Umbrella. It was as if his instincts worked only for her. This was further proof that a truce was right. This was rational and logical.
But Connor didn’t have much use for rationality and logic at the moment.
“We’re missing two team members today, by the way,” Cian remarked, licking the frosting from his fingers. “Gareth has a business meeting, Izzie has to shadow someone, and not one of us has a date, so we could use two more players.”
“We can play with three, Cian.” Connor wasn’t in the mood for new people. Alec was here, and Alec loved being charming and friendly in front of strangers and making small talk — three things Connor could do without.
His friend grinned broadly. “Yeah, but I thought…Maddie! Maddie, Rachel, come over here for a minute!”
Fuck. No. “Cian,” Connor growled, sitting up straighter. “Stop it!” He hadn’t seen Rachel since their conversation at the miniature golf course three days ago and that was a good thing. Even without seeing her, he couldn’t get the image of her out of his mind…her expression then, as if she was afraid he wouldn’t accept her apology. As if he could hold on to his anger for even a second, once the first tear had glistened in her eyes. How much crap had Rachel been carrying for months? She had to bury so much fear, suppress so much anger.
Just because she was known asPerfectRachel, because she didn’t want to burden anyone.
And, shit, Connor understood her so incredibly well because he’d been doing the same thing for years. Seeing her like that had triggered something in him. Maybe it was time he spoke up. He should talk to his siblings and explain what he’d never wanted to explain. He hated seeing Rachel like that, and he knew her sisters would too.
And his siblings would hate seeinghimlike this.
It was as if, with Rachel, he’d met a mirror image that showed him his own life. A hellishly attractive, sassy, witty, intelligent, sweet mirror image…that standing right in front of him.
Fuck.
“Is that panic in your eyes, Connor?” Alec asked, puzzled.
“No,” he said sharply. “That’s a middle finger. It’s for you.”
“Oh, now I really want to meet Rachel and Maddie,” Alec said, waggling his eyebrows. “Who are they?”
“The rulers of Connor’s nightmares,” Cian said with a soft chuckle before continuing, “Although I almost think Connor has given up his anger and hatred. At least he hired a truly competent paralegal without complaint, with whom he seems happy, and overall…” Cian lowered his voice conspiratoriallyand leaned to the side. “Alec, I swear, your brother seems almost relaxed these last two days.”
“Stop!” Alec sucked in a breath, feigning drama. “Connor hasn’t been relaxed since Mallory took away his pacifier. He was three back then!”
“You weren’t alive when I was three, Alec,” he said, annoyed, catching a hint of light blue out of the corner of his eye. Shit, Rachel was definitely wearing one of her drive-him-crazy dresses again.
“Yeah, but I’ve heard the stories.” Alec waved it off. “Connor took his pacifier very seriously for a very long time.”
“Did you call us here to tell us embarrassing baby stories about the killer whale?” an interested voice asked, and an amused-looking Maddie approached him. “I hope so. I can always use a little ammunition against my favorite divorce lawyer.”
Connor didn’t even look up. Cian was right. He’d been more relaxed at work, even though Mrs. Teager still hadn’t decided when she wanted to reschedule the court date. Even though he was still pushing overtime like fathers push strollers. But all those problems seemed to fade into the background when he felt, as he now did, Rachel looking at him from the side. Her gaze felt completely different from her sister’s. No less heated, but in a different way.
“Well, actually,” Cian said, looking up with a smile. “I brought you over to make a small peace offering. First, I’d like to invite you to my garden party in two weeks. The entire Sunshine Pier is invited to the barbecue. Second, we need two more players, and it looks like you're alone, so…”
Connor’s head whipped around. “We don’t need any more players.”
“Oh, why not?” Alec interrupted. “The more, the merrier, right?” He grinned up at Maddie and Rachel while Connor struggled to count the number of stains on the table.
Alec raised the plate in front of him and asked, “Cupcake?”
Maddie’s sigh was as heavy as the weight on Connor’s chest as he forced himself not to look at Rachel. He didn’t want to make it harder on himself. He wanted to get rid of the tightness in his diaphragm, and not know if she was biting the inside of her lip, creating that little crease in her chin.
“You’re right,” Maddie remarked reluctantly. “It’s only the two of us today. Matt and Hailey can’t come either.”
“Why can’t Hailey come?” Cian asked, frowning.
“Oh, our beloved landlady has a technical problem that Hailey is solving for her.” Maddie waved it off. “And it’s not like I don’t want to come toyourparty or play withyou…” she drawled.
“Oh, come on. There’ll be free food, and Connor will behave,” Cian remarked with a grin, pulling the chair next to him away from the table.
