“Except no actual birds. Just their little jail cells.”
“That’s a lovely thought.”
He laughed quietly. “I’m sure you know by now to ignore me.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and bounced up and down to check the firmness. She patted the spot next to her. “Come here. Sit.”
Donovan artfully arched both eyebrows. “I thought we decided we were done with that.”
“We did. This is just you and me, talking as friends.”
He did as she asked, sitting next to her. “I like the idea of that. As long as this isn’t a lecture.”
“Maybe a little one.”
“Can’t wait.”
“I want to make sure you’re going to take the time to enjoy this weekend. I understand things with your mother are complicated, but your daughter is getting married. It’s a big deal. It would be a shame if you didn’t have at least a little fun.”
He cleared his throat and leaned back, propping himself up with one arm. “I’ll try. I feel like I have one foot in the grave. How do I have a daughter that’s old enough to get married?”
Indeed, as slowly as time moved when you were young, it moved equally fast when you got older. “Don’t think about that part. Just try to enjoy it.”
He looked over at her and allowed himself a smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I am, too.”
“I hope you still feel that way after spending time with my mother.”
“She’s fine, Donovan. Really. She’s quirky, but who doesn’t love that? My mom is perfectly predictable.”
“Your mom is awesome.”
“There you are.” A good looking man who resembled Donovan ever-so-slightly appeared in the doorway. Lela could only assume it was his half-brother Austin. He was nearly the same height, similar thick brown hair, although Austin’s was cut in a far more conservative style. He had that same easy confidence, but in a slightly slicker package. Not only were his expensive leather shoes gleaming, his teeth were too. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Donovan popped up from the bed and hugged Austin, but it was more the bumping of shoulders and a clap on the back. “Hey, Austin. I want you to meet Lela.”
Austin narrowed his sights on her. “Hold on a minute. I’ve seen you somewhere.”
“Hello.” Lela reached out for a handshake, but he raised her fingers to his admittedly soft lips. “I don’t think we’ve ever met, but it’s nice to meet you now,” she said, ready to have her hand back.
Donovan closely studied Lela and Austin’s interaction. “Probably the ad campaign. Austin lives in Boston. That’s one of our first wave markets.”
“My God,” Austin said. “Lela B. Damn. Those photos are hot.”
Heat flushed Lela’s face so fast she nearly passed out. She still maintained that wasn’t her in those photos. It was an ideal of her, with great lighting and the right angles. “It’s not me. It was all the photographer’s doing.”
“Come on, Lela,” Donovan said in an admonishing tone. “Don’t say that. It’s you. It’s all you. No photographer can capture what isn’t there.”
Lela almost asked Donovan to watch himself. If he was going to go around complimenting her and being nice like he had over the last few weeks, he might give her a reason to start thinking about stupid things like kissing him.
“I hope we get to spend some time together while you’re here, Lela,” Austin said.
Donovan was in her peripheral vision, bugging his eyes and shaking his head “no”.
“I’m sure I’ll see you around.” She wasn’t sure what else she should say. She didn’t want to be rude.
Austin grinned. “Fantastic.”
