there? Rasher and Yolk, which is an upscale diner and closes at 2 P.M.? A steak place that serves great steak and soggy salad? A pizza place that, frankly, sucks? I’m telling you, there’s a market here for something else. Edward and I talked about it for months before deciding on a French bistro with a Mediterranean feel. It’ll be trendy and healthy and affordable. I wouldn’t have come up here if I hadn’t thought it would succeed.”
I had never heard my brother sound as passionate or articulate or knowledgeable about anything before.
“The contract,” he went on when I had no comeback, “is in case of flood, fire, or Armageddon, and if it’s the last, I probably won’t care, but what the hell.” Opening the refrigerator door, he leaned in. “Seriously. I’m hungry. What do you have?”
“Leftover beef stew.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m not the chef.”
“I’ll shop tomorrow.” His phone dinged again. “After someone tows my car.” He checked the phone, put it away. “Actually, I can use your car.”
“Actually,” I said, “it’s a truck, and I need it myself. I’ll give you the name of a tow guy. So.” I took a tentative breath. “Where are you staying?”
He spread his hands, here, and skimmed my home with his eyes.
I laughed. “Uh, I don’t think so.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is my home, and it’s small.”
“You’d turn me out in the rain? With no car?”
“You can sleep here tonight, but if you’re staying in Devon, you’ll need your own space. There are some great places on the other side of town. This one’s mine.”
“Don’t you want me here?” he asked.
“No, Liam. I don’t. I’m not Mom.”
“But I’m family,” he reasoned.
I held his gaze hard. “So am I.”
It was a minute before he got it. “Ah. You’re holding a grudge.”
“I’m remembering when I told Mom that Edward and I were getting divorced, and she said I couldn’t live with her. You said nothing, Liam.”
“She couldn’t deal. Dad had just died. She was in mourning.”
My eyes went wide. “So. Was. I.”
We stared at each other for a long, awkward time, but I wasn’t letting him off the hook. He had been an adult back then, no child, and he had been wrong. I could appreciate his loyalty to Mom, but when it was misplaced? With Dad gone and him her prince, he should have stepped up and tried to reason with her. If anyone had a chance of succeeding, it was Liam. And if he failed, he should have risen above and kept in touch with me whether she liked it or not.
He hadn’t risen above. And yet, here he was, bringing a visceral familiarity into my home.
Truth be told, it wasn’t an entirely, completely, totally bad feeling.
Startled by that little insight, I had another on its heels. No, he hadn’t risen above. But I could. He was my brother. If feeling better about myself was a goal, I could house him for now.
He must have sensed my softening, because he slid me a teasing smile. “This place is small, Maggie, but it’s sweet. I like your bedroom.”
Ah. Still king of the castle.
Only, this wasn’t his castle.
“So do I,” I said. “That’s why I sleep there.”
“But I’m the guest.”
My smile was serene. “Guests take the loft.”
* * *
I don’t know how I managed that smile. It might have been that I was tired. Or that Liam was a distraction from my having had sex with Edward. Visceral familiarity or not, he certainly couldn’t stay here long. The place was too small. It did occur to me, shortly before I fell asleep, that he could have it—could buy it from me—if I left town.
When I woke up the next morning to the warmth of two cats on my legs and the most unbelievable smells coming from the kitchen, though, I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. Sliding my feet free of the duvet, I wrapped myself in a thick robe and followed my nose down the stairs. My kitchen counter, not large to begin with, was covered with an assortment of open boxes, tins, and utensils. Liam was bent at the oven, with a cautious Jonah watching nearby.
“What did you make?” I asked, intrigued, pleased, even touched. It had been a long time since anyone had made anything for me, and never in my own home. Granted, he would be wanting breakfast for himself. Still.
“Quiche,” he said and straightened. “I thought I lost your dog this morning. I opened the door to let him pee, and he ran