headed to Alexander’s. Beyond the obvious of his house being a million times nicer, his kitchen was better, his internet was faster, and his bed was bigger.
And, after seeing how stupidly startled I’d gotten thanks to his toaster, he’d upgraded to a fancy one that slowly lifted the toast. It was a huge, thoughtful gesture that made me happy every time I used it. As did the jaunty tune it played.
“Well,” I started when I was at the door, “do you wanna drive all the way home, cook the salmon, and then have sex? Or do you wanna stay here and have sex as soon as I get back in and then order Chinese?”
The door closed behind me but I still heard him shout, “That one!”
My grin faded as I walked Muppet down the hallway. Someone had doused themselves in perfume and it gave me an instant headache. It clung in my nostrils, making my stomach churn.
The privacy, no shared walls, and no shared common areas were even more reasons to prefer Alexander’s. His house smelled like him, not the scent of five different dinners mixing unappetizingly with someone’s cloying perfume.
I walked Muppet out to where my sister always parked. One of these days, I would invite her in to see my apartment, but not when I was already doing something as big as meeting her new man. And definitely not when it would mean her meeting mine. I wasn’t ready for that yet.
Ripping the Band-Aid off may have had its perks, but there was something to say for baby steps.
Approaching a big ass SUV, my steps slowed when my sister got out with a man. They looked like an expensive advertisement. She was all athletic body, gleaming hair, and professionally chic. Her chic may have come from fashion dupes, but she wore them better than most wore the real stuff.
And him?
My sister had done well.
Maybe not as well as I’d done with Alexander. I was biased, but still. Brando was a good representation of tall, dark, and handsome.
There was an edge to him that was a little scary, but I didn’t think that was a bad thing.
After the life we’d lived, we probably needed someone with an edge. Definitely more than we needed someone with a sweater vest.
“You smell awful,” Aria complained when I got within sniffing distance.
“Wow. Hello to you, too.”
“Did you shatter a perfume bottle?”
“No, the hallway is a delightful plethora of scents.”
Even though I stunk, Aria pulled me into a hug that I returned with one arm. Her brows were practically in her hairline when she pulled away, but before she could say anything, Muppet stole the show.
Way to help your auntie out, genius boy.
Jumping and barking, he greeted Brando like a long-lost pal he hadn’t seen in years.
I already like Brando because Aria liked him. But I trusted him because Muppet liked him.
“Gotta get this dog into manner school, Doc,” Brando said, though that didn’t stop him from scratching Muppet’s ears.
“Eventually,” Aria evaded.
“Soon.”
“Those places cost an arm and a leg.” She crouched on her heels to love on her pup. “And unlike some people, the only markers I have are made by Crayola.”
I gave a low whistle. “You sprung for name brand markers?”
“No, you know I live the dupe life. I can offer store brand markers.” Gracefully standing like she was the one with years of pageant experience, she made her introductions. “Briar, this is Brand. Brand, this is my sister, Briar.”
I accepted his outstretched hand. Muppet must’ve felt left out because he jumped up to push his snout against our grasp.
“How was my boy today?” Aria asked.
“Perfection as usual.”
“You’re just as enabling as Aria,” Brand muttered, but there was no venom or condemnation in his tone. It was resigned.
And that made me like him even more.
Aria rolled her eyes then focused them on me. “You look tired.”
“First I smell and now I look like shit? The flattery.” I pressed my palm to my chest. “It’s too much for my already inflated ego.”
“You know what I mean. Are you okay?”
“Yes. My under-eye bags and I are awesome, thanks for asking.” When she just gave me an expectant look, I dropped the snark. “I really am good. Promise.”
“What’re you up to tonight?”
Getting fucked so hard and so well, I won’t be able to walk to the door to get our takeout.
Which is also why I’m both tired and good.
“The usual,” I said. “What about you?”
“Brand’s going to teach me how to grill steak.” I opened my