Don't Need You - Lilian Monroe Page 0,56

your back, because I know how that feels. So I’m asking you man to man if you have an issue with me dating your sister.” The words tumble out of me in one breath, and it takes all my effort to hold my friend’s gaze.

He stares at me for a long moment, inhaling deeply. Clearing his throat, he shifts in his seat. His arms rest lightly on the chair, his eyes trained on me.

I say nothing. What else is there to say?

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Robbie says, almost to himself. “But I guess I’m not surprised.”

I frown, tilting my head.

Robbie chuckles. “I saw the way you two were looking at each other.” For the third time, Robbie’s phone starts ringing. He sighs, turns it off with a huff, and slips it into his pocket. Then, he waves a hand. “You don’t need my permission, Kit. She’s a grown woman.”

“I didn’t want to go behind your back.”

“I appreciate it,” he says. “So you two…are an item?”

I inhale, shrugging. “Yeah, I think so. I told her I needed to talk to you and make sure we were cool. I didn’t want to take things too far with her while you were in the dark.”

Robbie stares at me for a long moment and finally nods. “I respect that. I’m not going to lie, the thought of you and my sister is a bit weird, but I don’t have any ownership over her. You’re a good guy. Angelo was my friend when we were kids, and he never bothered to say anything to me when they started sneaking around. Look how that turned out.” He lets out a bitter huff, shaking his head.

I gulp past a lump in my throat, letting out a heavy sigh. For the first time since I walked into the staff lounge, I let a smile tug at my lips.

That wasn’t as bad as I expected. Robbie just wants the best for Serena, and I’m glad he thinks I can be that for her.

My friend checks his watch, then nods. “Time to go.” He extends a hand toward me to shake, but when I slip my palm against his, Robbie’s face grows serious. He grips my hand harder than I expect, his eyes turning dark. “If you hurt my sister, I’ll kill you.”

I let out a huff of air, nodding. “I know. I’d do the same.”

“Good. Let’s go to work.” Without another word about his sister, his overbearing family, or threat of my unfortunate demise if I hurt his sister, we gather our things and head to the plane. Before we get there, I wave him ahead and slip into the restroom. Pulling out my phone, I dial Serena’s number.

It rings once, then goes to voicemail. I frown when a message comes through—one of those stock messages you can choose when you reject a call.

Serena: Can’t talk now.

I chew the inside of my cheek, disappointed I won’t get to hear her voice until I’m on the other side of the country. My heart clenches, and I know I won’t last long at this job if she’s living in Woodvale. I’ll be back at the skydiving business as soon as the weather clears up and Finn starts taking more bookings. Things will work out. We could be happy.

I type out a message for Serena.

Kit: Talked to Robbie. It went well. Miss you already.

Staring at the screen for a few seconds, my heart sinks when she doesn’t read or reply to the message. Resigned, I slip my phone into my pocket and head for the plane. I check my phone a dozen times between then and the time I have to turn it off, but there’s still no word from Serena.

I think about the incessant phone calls from Robbie’s mother, and worry worms through my stomach. What if something happened? Glancing at Robbie, I see only the placid, professional face of my copilot. He gives me a nod, and we get ready to fly the plane across the country together.

22

Serena

My hands shake as I throw clothes into a suitcase. I know Kit sent me a message, but I haven’t even been able to read it. The only thing I can think about are my mother’s words, ringing in my ears like a church bell.

Nonna had a stroke.

Over, and over, and over again. The words just play on repeat as my whole body trembles. I toss whatever clothes I can find into my bag, zipping it up as fast as I can. I