Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,95

but I’m pretty sure that’s one of the worst things I can do. He wouldn’t be amused. He’d be irritated, jealous even.

I glance over to the sofa where Bradley sits square on his haunches, staring transfixed at the television. His hair is snow white, and he has a pair of silver framed spectacles sliding down his nose. If Scarlett and her siblings get their dark crimson locks from him, the world would never know it.

He offers up a brief, cheery hello of his own, but it looks as if neither Scarlett nor I are getting a running, hugging reception from our respective parents. Instead, her lookalike older sister—swear to God, they could be twins—heads over with some dude in tow. I’ve met Scarlett’s family several times by now, and I’ve yet to see this pasty-faced, somewhat angry looking dude who’s shuffling alongside Sabrina.

“Sissy!” Sabrina holds out her arms with her mock enthusiasm. It’s pretty clear to everyone with a beating heart that Sabrina and Scarlett aren’t exactly the best of friends. You couldn’t cut through the tension with a razor when these two are around. “So, where is he?” She cranes her neck past the two of us. Her act is so convincing I look back myself to see if anyone’s followed us up. “Is he getting your bags? Isn’t he the perfect gentleman.” Her pink manicured hands rub together as if she’s already developing a plan of wicked proportions, which wouldn’t surprise me. Sabrina is a lot like Scarlett’s evil twin with longer, darker hair, stronger red highlights, her eyes a bit larger, her nose a bit hooked. She’s a wicked beauty to Scarlett’s poetic quiet looks. Too bad Scarlett’s temperament doesn’t quite match. Other than that, they could pass as twins easily.

“He’s not coming,” Scarlett says it just above a whisper.

“Are you talking about C—?”

Scarlett darts a harsh glance my way and shakes her head ever so slightly.

“What’s this here?” Sabrina cocks her head to the side while the pasty-faced dude keeps his eyes glued to Scarlett. He hasn’t once looked away, and something about that wet dream look on his face makes me want to sock him. “Oh, hon”—she flicks her wrist—“there ain’t no shame in being single.” Sabrina’s country twang is much thicker than Scarlett’s. At first, I couldn’t tell if I was hallucinating, but the more I listened, the more it was there in the background like a ghost trying not to be seen. “Just because Duncky and I have found true love doesn’t mean you need to run off and get yourself saddled with just any ol’ body.”

Duncky’s eyes drop to Scarlett’s cleavage, and I hold out my hand, cock-blocking his view. “Rex Toberman.” If the girls aren’t going to do the honors, I’ll take the reins.

“Duncan Wormier.” A look of discontent takes over his features. “I used to date Scarlett.”

Crap. I stop mid-shake.

Sabrina swats him in the stomach, and now this entire wishing-Colin-were-here-scenario makes perfect sense. Sabrina is a boyfriend-jacker, and she’s hauled him to the Squirrely Whirly Retreat to rub him in poor Scarlett’s face.

“So, it’s Duncky, huh?” I nod at the dude trying to get out of the awkwardness his confession has landed us in.

Scarlett takes in a breath. “Something stupid I used to call him.”

“Yes, well, he’s mine now.” Sabrina pulls Scarlett in and giggles as if this were somehow appropriate. “We thought we’d meet the young man Scar Scar has been hiding, but I suppose he’ll remain a mystery—perhaps an illusion for quite some time now!” She cackles again right into her sister’s face, and I can see Scarlett’s cheeks heating to match the color of her hair.

“Maybe he won’t be such a mystery.” I shrug, and Scarlett glares back at me for even bothering to intervene. I look right at her, and something in those glassy jade eyes softens just a bit. As if I tossed out a life preserver to that sinking ship she’s on, and she’s actually made the decision to reach for it. “Maybe you’re looking at him.”

All three pairs of eyes widen at the same time, Scarlett’s being the most prominent and damning with rage.

“Come on, Scar Scar.” I tick my head at her. “Let’s let the relationship cat out of the bag. You’re not ashamed of me, are you?”

Her mouth opens, and an entire series of choking sounds come out—one of my favorite things to induce in a girl, usually in bed and never in front of her sister.

“See?” I step in close