Laney pats him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go tell him about it while you two clean up the kitchen, so I can talk to my brother in private?”
“Yes ma’am,” Fletcher says, kissing my sister chastely before standing. “Come on, George. Let me tell you why I’m not allowed to talk to Ellis by myself anymore.”
Laney watches the two of them walk toward the kitchen before she turns back to me, arching a brow.
“What?”
“You’re grumpier than normal.”
“Your point?”
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Vienna, would it?”
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. “What are you trying to ask me, Laney?”
“How are things going with you two? Any exciting incidents I should know about?”
I eye her skeptically. “No…”
“Nothing that involves fixing a showerhead? Or seeing her naked?” There’s a curl to her lips that tells me she is leading me into a trap, but I’m not in the mood to play this game.
“I think that’s an inappropriate question to ask your brother.”
“I don’t, especially because I’m only trying to help you here.”
“I don’t need your help, Laney.”
Her face softens and then she reaches out, curling her hand around my forearm. “Rhonan. It’s just me. Tell me what’s going through that head of yours.”
Clenching my teeth together, I attempt to stay strong. “Why?”
“Because fixing your neighbor’s shower and letting Ellis play with her dog isn’t staying away from the woman you had a connection with at a bar before she ghosted you. It actually sounds a lot like the opposite of that.”
My face falls flat. “How’d you know…”
Laney releases my arm and leans back in her chair, grabbing her wine glass again. “Vienna came into the salon this week for a haircut and color, and I sort of pulled it out of her.”
I sigh. “You know, I’m just trying to be polite.”
“You sure that’s all it is?” She tilts her head at me again.
“What do you want me to say, Laney?”
“How about that you’re still attracted to this woman, for starters?”
I toss my hands in the air. “Fine. I am! You happy?”
“Somewhat. Now, what’s going through your head?”
I blow out a breath and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I hate this entire situation.”
“Why?”
“Because I let myself get caught up in a woman, and now it’s like my choice came back to bite me in the ass.”
My sister laughs. “Wow. Ever the pessimist, aren’t you?”
“And how am I supposed to be an optimist in this predicament?”
