He drives quietly for a moment, and I know he’s trying to think of what to say. “You said love?” he asks finally.
“Yeah.”
“Like, being in love with Lyra, love?”
“I’m in love with your sister. I should probably tell her this first, but I’ve been an idiot and didn’t realize it until I did, and then I turn around and she’s kissing someone else because she walked away from me because we can’t stop fighting. Or she won’t stop pointing out what I’ve done wrong, which, apparently, has been a lot of things.”
“Sounds like you’ve been a real idiot,” Odin says drily.
“I’d say I’ve been a lot of things, but this is a PG show.”
“That bad, huh?”
“I’ve made a mess of things, O, and I don’t know how to fix it. And I have no idea if she even wants me to.”
“Want to come back to the house to figure things out?”
“No, this is something I have to do on my own. I thought I could walk it out, but then you showed up.”
“Ria called and said you might need a pickup from a friend. I’m surprised you don’t have a camera following you. They like the tender moments between the contestants.”
I turn around in the seat. “I must have lost him. Guess he figured you’re not a contestant, and this isn’t a tender moment. Thanks for the pickup, by the way.”
Odin shrugs. “You needed me and I came. Same thing you’ve been doing for us your entire life.”
“Lyra asked if I’m doing this because I want to be part of your family.”
Odin frowns. “You’re already a part of the family. Doesn’t matter if you’re with her or not. I would actually think it might be a deterrent. We’re a lot to take on, you know.”
“You’re the only family I’ve got.”
“Well, Sophie and Stella might take offense at that. She’s still around, you know? In case you want some sisterly advice.”
“Have you ever asked for some sisterly advice?”
“From Lyra? No way.” He laughs.
“That’s the woman I love you’re talking about.”
Odin glances over with a sympathetic smile. “You’re not the first man who’s fallen for my sister, you know.”
“Yeah, but I want to be the last.”
26
Lyra
I
managetodomySuitorette duty and have individual time with each of the men left on the date. We spend hours in the brewery to film it all. It’s a nice enough place, but all I can smell is yeast and hops.
Spencer left. He walked away, and I’m desperate to find out if that means he’s leaving the show—and me—or just headed back to the hotel early.
I didn’t want him to see me kiss Liam. I didn’twantto kiss Liam—it just happened. I won the silly game and gave him a hug and then his mouth was on mine, and I was so surprised that I let it happen.
One minute I was teasing Spencer about all the times I’ve wanted to kiss him over the years, and the next, I’m kissing someone else.
Who does that?
