Page 236

Had you ever seen a hardened man melt?

It was danged adorable, and my chest squeezed as I watched my big brother do it.

His joy mine because I’d been terrified he’d never again find its true meaning.

That was until Brinley and Kai had come into his life.

Brinley fixed her plate while I settled Kai into his highchair, strapping him in and teasing him that I was going to eat all his food.

“No way, Wena!”

Laughing softly, I popped one of the chicken morsels into his mouth. “Okay, fine, you can have one.”

“Aww mine.” He basically hugged his plate and dumped half of it out onto his lap.

Brinley strolled up. “Are you teasing my son?”

“Who me? Never.” I brushed fingers through Kai’s hair, then dropped a kiss on his forehead.

“Wena love, Mommy.” He nodded emphatically.

Affection swelled. A riptide of it.

Assured that Brinley was there to watch over Kai while he ate, I went to get my own food. Meems was coming my direction with her plate piled high.

How she managed both concern and a knowing smirk on her weathered face, I didn’t know.

Redness pinked my cheeks, and she only chuckled and patted my arm as she passed.

I got into line behind Trevan who was still snarling and ranting with Silas.

Conspiring death.

He stepped aside. “Go ahead.”

“Such a gentleman,” I deadpanned, skewering him with a look that had to be as knowing as the one Meems had shot at me.

“Trying to be.” The guttural words sagged with an apology.

“It’s overrated,” I told him, hiking an indifferent shoulder.

Pretending like I wasn’t quivering with his proximity.

A low grunt fell over me from behind. I couldn’t tell if it was pain or acquiescence.

“Medium?” Silas asked as he lifted the lid to the mess of steaks sizzling on the grill.

“Yep.”

He speared it with a large fork and set it onto my plate, then I eased over to the buffet table and filled my plate with the sides.

I could feel the heat of Trevan peering into me from behind.

I wondered what it would feel like if he waltzed up behind me and wrapped me in those arms.

If he claimed me in front of everyone.

If I would ever truly, fully be worth the chance.