He wasn’t flustered. He was track-a-pop-fly focused on the horror written all over Sheila’s face.
Before he could reassure her that he wasn’t herewithKelly, that there was nothing going on with Kelly, Kelly jumped in. “I was just about to invite Brock to dinner tonight.” She hooked his bicep with her cold fingers. “My parents would love to meet you. They’re huge Redrocks fans.”
“Are you going?” he asked Sheila.
She swallowed heavily. “Yep. I’m taking potato salad.”
Kelly huffed. “Mom hates that stuff.”
“Dad asked me to bring it,” Sheila replied through clenched teeth.
“Only because I know it’s not good for him and Mom will throw it out as soon as dinner is over. He went for the weak link.”
“At least he’ll get to enjoy it tonight.”
Brock grabbed the closest bag of buns and tossed them into the cart. “I’m not going to be able to make it. I have a couple of the guys coming over for a barbecue.”
Kelly pouted. “That’s too bad. Sheila’s bringing Greg, and I didn’t want to sit alone.”
His head whipped around so fast the lights blurred. “What?”
Sheila glared at Kelly. “I’m not taking Greg. He’s having dinner with the owner tonight.”
Brock grunted. That wasn’t the answer he was looking for. “So you’d take him if he wasn’t?”
She bent her leg and tapped her toes repeatedly. “Probably. He’s my responsibility for the week, so I’dhaveto take him.”
Kelly shoved Sheila’s shoulder. “Don’t act all put out. He’s totally hot, and you know it.”
Sheila rolled her eyes. “He’s a client. Nothing more.”
“Pft.” Kelly clearly didn’t believe her sister.
Brockwantedto believe her. The truth was, they weren’t exclusive. One amazing kiss and a thousand texts did not make Sheila his girlfriend. She was free to date whoever she chose.
He just wanted her to choose him.
Kelly ran a hand down his arm. She wasn’t helping.
“Okay, it was nice to see you both again. I’m going to go that way.” He pointed to the end of the aisle and took off, not wanting to be in the middle of the sisters and not wanting to cause a scene. They were like two ends of jumper cables—firing sparks and threatening to singe anyone who came between them.
He was almost to the checkout when Sheila caught up with him. Her cart moved almost soundlessly as all its wheels worked perfectly. He let out a breath, thankful her sister wasn’t right behind her.
“Look,” she started, and her abrupt tone smacked him. “Clearly there’s been some mixed signals, or perhaps not strong enough ones, because Kelly’s under the impression the two of you are starting a relationship. If you want to date Kelly, that’s fine, but you can’t date us both.”
He scoffed, because her assumption was so crazy. And because she was the one seeing Greg every night of the week when she couldn’t pull together fifteen minutes to come see his deck. “Like you’re one to talk about signals.”
“Excuse me?” She planted a hand on her sweet little hip.
“You’ve been dating Greg.”
Her mouth fell open and then snapped shut. She lifted herself on her toes, gaining height. “Kelly’s successful and pretty and a great catch, so I’ll make this decision easy for you—I’m stepping out.” She threw both hands up, palms forward.
“Sounds like you have yourself a great guy—don’t let me get in the way.”
Her eyebrows lowered. “Fine.”
“Fine!” He gripped the cart handle.
