Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls #1) - Elizabeth Kelly Page 0,45
crush on Daniel that I’m now over.”
He studied her silently and wilted under his gaze. She hated how her brother could always tell when she was lying.
“I haven’t seen Connor’s car here since Saturday,” he said.
She glared at him. “Are you spying on me?”
He gave her a grin, not the least bit ashamed. “It’s not spying when I’m a cop, Kira. It’s called doing my job.”
“It’s called spying and you need to stop. Besides,” she lied, “I’ve been at his house a couple of times this week.”
“Now I know you’re lying,” he said.
“Shut up.”
“Connor lives in an apartment, not a house,” he said.
“How do you know that?”
“I’m the sheriff,” he said as if that answered everything.
“Well, I just,” she waved her hands around, “meant house in general.”
“Oh yeah? What’s Connor’s address?”
“I don’t know his exact address, Gideon.” Sweat was dripping down her back. “Hey, did you see they have steaks on sale at Safeway? I know you’ve been itching to barbeque again.”
“Stop changing the subject. Where does Connor live. Just give me a general area of town.”
She stared at him before sighing. “Fine, I don’t know where he lives, all right?”
“You’ve been dating him for almost three weeks, and you don’t know where he lives,” Gideon said.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” she said. “He usually comes here.”
“Kira, you’re hiding something from me,” Gideon said. “Why?”
“I’m not. God, Gideon, I’m not a little kid anymore. Stop treating me like one.”
Gideon tapped his fingers on the table and Tank sat up, making a soft ‘woof’ as he stared toward the front door.
“I realize you’re not a kid, but you’re my kid sister and I’m going to worry about you. Especially if you’re dating someone who isn’t a good guy.”
“Connor’s a great guy,” she said. “You hate Daniel, I would think you’d be happy that I’m dating someone else and finally over him.”
Gideon stood and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. “I would be if I thought you were actually over Daniel. Come by the house tomorrow night at six for dinner. Bring your… boyfriend with you.”
“I’ll check and see if he has plans,” Kira said.
“Love you, kid.” Gideon whistled for Tank and the big dog lumbered to his feet and followed him out of the kitchen.
“I love you too.” Kira waited until the door shut before grabbing her phone. She hesitated and then typed Connor a quick message. She hadn’t heard a word from him since Saturday, and to be honest, she wasn’t even sure if they were still fake dating. He’d been super pissed when he left.
Yeah, well, that’s not your fault. He was the one who was acting all weird and shit.
It was true, he had been acting weird and shit. She’d had supper with Grace last night and, without telling her what happened on Saturday, asked her what Connor’s mood was like.
“Terrible,” Grace had sighed. “He’s been a real bear all week. Why? Did you two have a fight?”
She’d brushed off the question and although she could tell that Grace wasn’t buying any of her excuses, she didn’t question Kira further.
She stared at her message, rereading it quickly.
Hey. My brother wants us to come over for dinner at his place tomorrow night around six. Are you available? Fair warning, he’s even more suspicious because I couldn’t tell him where you lived.
She hit send and then hesitated before typing some more and sending it.
Hope your knee is better. Are we even still fake dating?
She didn’t have to wait long for a response. Her phone dinged and she scanned his text a little too eagerly.
Hi. Yes, we’re still fake dating and yes, I’m available for dinner tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at quarter to six.
She slumped in her chair. That was it?
What were you expecting? Her inner voice sounded grumpy.
She didn’t know, she supposed. It’s not like he would tell her he missed her or something. Or that, like her, he’d slept terribly the last four nights with weird sex-dreams that left him cranky and sexually frustrated.
She rubbed her forehead before leaving her phone on the table and heading upstairs to draw a bath. Maybe the combination of a hot bath and – her cheeks flushed – some dedicated time spent masturbating would help her actually sleep tonight.
* * *
Worried his knee was still bothering him, she was waiting on the porch when he pulled into the driveway the next night. She hurried down the stairs and climbed into the car, giving him a tentative smile.