Page 63 of My Brother’s Best Friends Entanglement

"You never have any reason to apologise if you want to press your body against me."

Before I can say anything even more stupid, there's a knock on the door.

She steps back. "Are you expecting someone?"

"Nope. You?"

"Me either." Then her face breaks into a grin. "Race ya!"

We both run for the door. She elbows me in the ribs down the narrow hallway, I clip her shoulder with mine, and somehow we're both laughing by the time we hit the foyer. I'm faster, but she's more nimble — she beats me to the handle by a beat.

She throws the door open, head thrown back in laughter.

Then she stops laughing.

Standing on the porch in what can only be politely described as a suggestion of a mini dress is a woman I have no recollection of inviting here tonight.

"Hey, stranger," Tracey says, looking at me over Alexia's shoulder.

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. I don't remember making a date with her. Doesn't mean I didn't.

Beside me, Alexia steps back from the door, hand sliding off the handle, brushing flour off her shirt.

"I have to check something in the oven." She's already turning. "I'll leave you two to⁠—"

Shit.

I follow her, forgetting the woman on my porch. "Alexia, hold on."

"Can't. Don't want it to burn." She flings herself down the hallway, but I catch her hand before she gets too far.

"Alexia."

"You should go. Your…friend’s waiting." Still not looking at me. "Wouldn't want to keep her."

"It's not what it looks like."

"I'm pretty sure it's exactly what it looks like, Marcus. It's fine." She pulls her hand away, heading for the oven. "Honestly, there's something almost comforting about it. I needed reminding that some things never change."

That hurts like a knife to the heart. "That's not fair," I say, knowing that it’s actually more than fair.

"Am I wrong?" she counters.

No, she isn't. And I deserved that.

"You'd better go, she's probably getting cold out there."

"Can we talk about⁠—"

"About you telling me you don't like the thought of me dating any other man, but you can date as many women as you like? No, I don't think there's really anything more to say about it, do you?"

I run a hand through my hair and curse. "Look, I have to go deal with Tracey. But this isn't over."

She looks up at me, eyes bright. "I think it is, Marcus."

I sigh and walk out of the kitchen.

Tracey's already inside by the time I get back, already walking toward my room, reaching for the zip at her side, the dress sliding an inch, then two, off one shoulder.