Slow No Wake - By Dakota Madison Page 0,61

into my bedroom. By the time I got them put on my bed, I heard a knock at my front door. What now? I thought.

I opened the door to a freshly showered Daniel. His hair was still damp but he smelled clean and fresh. “Just wondered if you’d like to grab a bite to eat? Maybe in 30 minutes or so. If you’re hungry.”

I smiled. “I am hungry and I would love join you.”

We both heard the spare bedroom door slam. I braced myself for the inevitable. I knew Daniel would have to meet my sister eventually. The moment of truth was about to arrive. “Ready to meet my sister?” I whispered.

He raised an eyebrow.

“And she had company this weekend. He’s still here.”

Hannah and Brad entered the living room. They were now both fully clothed.

I could hear Daniel take in a shocked breath when he saw Brad. At least I hoped that’s what caused the reaction. I cringed at the thought that he might be reacting to my gorgeous sister.

“Hannah, I’d like to introduce you to Daniel,” I said.

I was pleased to see that Daniel made no move toward my sister. He gave a slight wave and said, “How’s it going?” Then he crossed his arms over his chest.

My sister responded with a quick “Hi” in return.

“Of course, you already know Brad,” I said.

Brad gave Daniel an embarrassed half wave. “Hey,” Daniel said in acknowledgment. I knew Brad and Daniel were nowhere near being buddies at work.

When I looked at Daniel and noticed his eyes had returned right back to me, I breathed a sigh of relief. There apparently was at least one man on Earth who was not completely taken in by my sister’s charms.

Then Daniel leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in 30 minutes,” he whispered in my ear then he walked out the door.

I turned back to Brad and my sister. I couldn’t believe Brad, who was usually Mr. Calm and Collected, actually looked uncomfortable. He was restless and fidgety. “I guess I’d better get going,” he said finally.

Hannah heaved a huge sigh and pouted. Brad was immediately at her side. He put his arms around her and started snuggling her neck. Then he said, “It’s okay, Pookie. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”

I could feel myself throw up a little in my mouth. Did I really just hear Brad, of all people, call my sister Pookie?

Then Brad starting kissing my sister and I thought the two of them would start having sex right there in front of me. I coughed a little to remind them I was still very much in the room.

Brad looked up at me with a deer-caught-in-headlights expression. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Brad kissed my sister’s cheek then headed out the front door.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at Hannah. “I see you and Bad wasted no time getting to know each other.”

“I really like him,” she whined. “And he’s going to help me get enrolled at the community college.”

I was immediately impressed. That was the first time my sister had ever uttered the word college in her life.

“Okay,” I said cautiously.

“And Brad really likes me,” Hannah said. “For the first time, a decent guy truly likes me. Please try to be happy for me.”

I softened a bit. “I’m glad, Hannah. I really am.”

Hannah flopped on the couch. “So tell me everything about you and Daniel.”

I stood over her. “First, we need to get something out in the open. If I ever see you touch Daniel, even one little finger, you and all of our stuff will be out in the street. Do I make myself clear?”

She harrumphed. “Overreact much?” she blurted.

I glared at her.

“Okay,” she said. “Maybe that isn’t an overreaction. I get it. Stay away from Daniel. He is cute, by the way, but definitely not my type. Besides, I’m really into Brad, so you don’t have to worry.”

I eyed her suspiciously.

She made a cross over her chest then held up her hand. “I swear, I will never touch Daniel. I’ll even promise not to look at him if you’ll sit your ass down here and talk to me.”

The moment of truth. Would I let me sister back into my life? Would I trust her again? I tentatively sat at the edge of the couch. It was a start.

***

When Daniel picked me up, I was freshly showered. I decided to put on a light sundress and sandals, which was apparently the right move,