by T Gephart
Damn it.
He didn’t immediately talk, which was interesting, waiting until we were on the main road before he spoke.
“Have you seen your new office yet? You start Monday, right?”
His voice was a calm lake—not a throat clear, or a stutter, not a ripple out of place—nothing to indicate that the sexual tension I thought I’d felt in my doorway was anything more than my imagination.
“Yes, Monday. And I haven’t had a chance to go in yet. I guess I’ll see it Monday.” Everything his voice had been, mine had not.
Putting aside I’d said Monday twice like an idiot, I hadn’t dissolved into a complete disaster. The question had just been unexpected, even if it did make sense that he’d ask.
“You’ve already been at your firm a few months, right? How’s work been for you?” I figured it was the polite thing to do, assuming we were doing small talk.
He nodded to himself, a smile creeping across his lips as he turned to face me. “Pretty good actually.”
I had no idea if the smile on his face was because of his love affair with the law or if he’d gone back to flirting.
He gave nothing else away.
“Great,” I offered, wondering if we should graduate the conversation to the weather or sports.
Screw that.
“So, your mom doesn’t know I’m coming, does she?” I assumed when he’d convinced me to come, he might have mentioned it to her. You know, since it would be the polite thing to do. But then I remembered who I was dealing with, my surprise visit restitution for her not telling him I was back in town.
He grinned with no apology. “That would be a negative.”
“And your brothers?”
His head lolled to the side, an eyebrow rising in question. “What do you think?”
“Probably not.”
“Then you would be correct.”
Honestly, I probably would have been more surprised if he had told them I was coming. He’d always enjoyed a good-natured prank, especially at the expense of his brothers. It was their thing—or at least it had been—all of them super competitive and taking irrational satisfaction over getting one over on the others. Hell, I’d even participated, Alex’s excitement contagious.
“I guess I’ll just have to be content with being used then.” I pretended to be bored, looking at my fingernails.
If it was anyone else, I probably would have been annoyed. But it was different with him. I didn’t know why, but it just was. I knew there wasn’t a malicious bone in his body, and he’d be the last person on earth to use anyone. Or at least, the guy I had known in the past wouldn’t.
He turned his head slowly, his smile not as sure. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“Isn’t it?” I shrugged.
He pulled a hard right, my seatbelt holding me in tight as he moved to the shoulder of the road and stopped the car. There was a crack in his cool, calm veneer, his eyes fixed on mine. “I’d never use you. Maybe I haven’t been clear, but I’m glad you’re back, which is why I wanted you to come with me. Because I know they’ll be glad too. And sure, not telling them you’re coming gives me a stupid thrill because I like knowing something they don’t, but you aren’t a punch line, Maya.”
God he was sweet.
My hand reached out, touching his arm and giving it a squeeze. “Thanks.”
It was never an actual consideration he had nefarious motives, but I couldn’t help but feel good to hear him say it.
“So, you still want to go to my mom’s?” He had yet to put the car into drive, and I had no doubt if I said no, he wouldn’t push it.
It was my turn to smile. “Oh, we’re going. Apparently Roman owes Jordon fifty bucks for some porn DVDs he left behind.”
“Who the hell pays for porn?” He screwed up his face in confusion.
“Right?” I nodded in agreement. “That’s what I thought. I don’t even have a DVD player.”
We both laughed.
He had a great laugh.
I’d forgotten how much I’d loved hearing it.
He nodded to the windshield, putting the car into gear and getting back onto the road.
Ready or not we were going to his mother’s.
And at that moment, my biggest concern wasn’t seeing all of them again. It was the undeniable feelings of attraction that went way beyond friendship.
Well.
Shit.
WHEN I DECIDED TO MOVE back to L.A. the plan had been to be kickass at my job, find some friends, and live a good life. I would be closer to my family, could enjoy the warmer weather and I’d hopefully feel like I was home.
Of course, I had wondered about Alex and his family. And sure, maybe briefly entertained the fantasy of seeing him—and them—again. But that was way down the track.
Like after a few months, or a year . . . who knows, if it was fate, maybe we’d just run into each other at the farmer’s market or something as equally unlikely. Okay, I was being ridiculous. But I imagined it would be in the distant future.
Yeah, that theory went right out the window as we pulled up to a house I didn’t recognize. It was actually a relief she didn’t live in the same neighborhood we’d grown up in. I wondered if their dad did. Not like I knew what happened to any Larsson who wasn’t in the press.
I took a deep breath, running my hands down my thighs as I looked at the front door. Lord I hoped this didn’t suck. Last thing I needed was for all of them to hate me, blame me, or even worse, see that I was making ga-ga eyes at Alex. I hadn’t even been in L.A. a full week, shopping for a therapist to share my feelings with was too cliché for words.
Alex—apparently oblivious to my internal ponderings—opened his door and walked around to mine. Not sure if he was being polite or was wondering what was taking me so damn long.
Not that it mattered; I had still yet to open the door.
“Ready?”
“Yep,” I answered, not even close to being convinced. I guess therapy wouldn’t be so bad.
He waited as I stepped out but didn’t touch me. There was no subtle arm hold, or hand pressed to my lower back, instead allowing me to move on my own. It was poetic in a way, because it was something I had to do on my own.
I swallowed a silent breath, moving with confidence I wasn’t sure I possessed to the door, not asking for permission as I pressed the buzzer.
Wasn’t exactly sure where the surge in bravery had come from, but I wasn’t going to question. Instead I stood up straight, affixed a broad smile to my face, and hoped I didn’t look like I was trying to sell them Jesus. It was entirely likely that no one would recognize me, especially since no one knew I was coming.
Alex stood beside me, his smile matching mine. He didn’t say a word, just shooting me a quick sideways glance that used to mean trouble.
The door swung open, revealing a tall, attractive blond. Standard, considering the Larsson family had cornered the market on tall and attractive.
Except this one was female.
And, unless Kate had some major experimental regeneration surgery, it wasn’t her either.
“Alex, you’re here.” The tall, good looking, non-Larsson female threw her arms around Alex, allowing the rest of her body to follow suit. Not that he probably felt it, her lithe figure, while vertically impressive, had to weigh less than a hundred pounds. And that was including her fancy fluffy jacket, glittery tight pants, and her ridiculously large earrings.
She looked Nordic, Scandinavian—the kind of place where the beautiful people roamed free and had weird circle-like accents above vowels in their names.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were back.” He seemed genuinely surprised, but not all that annoyed. The familiarity between them was obvious.
Fluffy jacket giggled, snuggling in closer like she was trying to bury herself into his chest. Clearly she hadn’t seen the movie Alien or she would have known being in someone’s chest wasn’t romantic. Pretty sure that didn’t have a favorable outcome eithe
r.
“I wanted to surprise you, and your mom told me you were coming over.”
It was strange. While they both towered above me, I knew I hadn’t evaporated into the atmosphere. I was still there in front of the doorway, wearing my kick-ass red dress that showed my natural yet impressive cleavage, representing the brunette minority in our little threesome. And yet, apparently I needed to remind them they weren’t alone.
“Hi.” I didn’t wait for the introduction, the latent bravery I’d been feeling still with me, thank God. “I’m Maya.”
I didn’t bother sticking out my hand since hers were otherwise occupied. Pretty sure they’d wandered down and were getting acquainted with Alex’s ass.
“Astrid, this is an old friend of mine.” Alex spun around, wearing tall-and-pretty like a scarf as she dangled from him. “Maya and I grew up together.”
“Oh, that’s so cute.” Astrid grinned. “You can tell me more stories about what he was like as a kid. I bet he was a hellraiser.”
Astrid.
No weird accent, but I was close.
“Yeah, something like that,” I coughed out, wondering when Alex was going to mention he had a girlfriend.
Oh, I wasn’t sure if they were doing the labels thing, which was probably going to be his excuse. But I wasn’t an idiot, and could tell just by looking at them he and Ms. Fancy Pants were more than passing acquaintances.
The signs were all there. The lingering hand on his chest, the adoration in her eyes, her reluctance to let him go. Not that I blamed her, given half a chance I might have done the same. Except she was Astrid and I was the “friend.”
Not that it was any of my business, it wasn’t like Alex had given me any indication he’d wanted anything but friendship. In fact, he’d repeated it numerous times about wanting to be friends.
Friends.
The kind that didn’t kiss or get naked.
Damn it.
And it was probably at that exact moment when I finally admitted to myself that more than part of me had been hopeful. Hopeful that we wouldn’t just take up where we’d left off, but actually graduate to something more.
My bad.
I should have known better.
Well, at least I was no longer worried about being overdressed. Disco ball pants trumped the red dress for sure.
“Alex, what are you still doing outside—” She didn’t finish her sentence, the kind blue eyes I’d know as a child stared at me as her mouth remained open.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure I was capable of much talking either.
Kate Larsson must have done a deal with the devil.
Her skin, while not completely wrinkle free, was smoother than her age should have dictated. Her blonde hair was the right mix of casual chic, with her tailored pants and linen shirt doing nothing to hide what excellent shape she was in. And forget she was old enough to be my mother, she’d given birth to five boys who were giants, how the hell was that even possible?
“Maya?”
Arms grabbed me and pulled me to her chest before I had a chance to answer. “Oh, Maya, Anna told me you were back. Why didn’t you call and tell me you were coming?”
She pulled back to look at me, her eyes misting in sincerity.
It was Alex and Fluffy Jacket’s—yes, I knew her name was Astrid but I was still bewildered someone actually dressed like that—turn to stand around and look decorative.
“We wanted to surprise you.” I smiled, looking over at Alex.
Kate shook her head, glancing over my shoulder to her son. “I guess I should have expected that.” She turned her eyes back to me. “Look at you, you’re beautiful.”
It was weird hearing the compliment considering the company I was in. My five-foot-four petite but curvy frame, green eyes, and brown hair might have been “pretty” but it sure wasn’t beautiful. “Thank you.” I hoped to God I didn’t blush.
“Okay, everyone in the house.” She waved her arms, motioning me, Alex and Astrid into the entranceway.
Her home was stunning, soft hues and pretty fabrics—feminine and soft, just like her. She took my hand, leading me through the hall to her living room where not even pastel colors or silk organza could soften the noise.
All her sons—ALL of them—were squeezed into what should have been a decent-sized room. They were all involved in various conversations, some with their equally attractive counterparts, others with their genetically blessed offspring.
It wasn’t a family gathering; it was a double-page advertisement in a Condè Nast publication. How all that perfection was allowed to exist in one place was astounding. That it belonged to one family—grossly unfair.
“Uh-hmm.” Alex cleared his throat so blatantly loud there was no mistake he was angling for attention.
Guess he’d been able to tear himself away from his fangirl for a minute, the few seconds between the door and the room allowing me time to forget I’d arrived with Alex but he’d quickly become preoccupied with someone else.
Heads turned.
Eyes followed.
All of them landing on me.
Silence.
Shit.
“Well, that was a party trick I didn’t know I was capable of.” I smiled, waving lamely at my audience. “Hi.”
“Really?” Roman was the first one to speak, raising an eyebrow as he stepped forward. Just like the rest of them, the years had been more than generous. Gone was the cute college kid I’d remembered, in its place an incredibly handsome man who exhaled confidence instead of carbon dioxide. “I’d have assumed you’d be used to it given your last name.”
“Roman,” Alex hissed, his eyes shooting to his older brother.
I shook my head, knowing it was too much to expect the whole reunion to be a cakewalk. Eric, Roman—they probably remembered the scandal all too well being older, I had no doubt they’d discussed it with their father. “It’s fine. It’s nothing I haven’t heard before.” I didn’t lower my gaze.
He might have been intimidating, but I wasn’t backing down that easily.
Roman moved closer, everyone watching as he stood in front of me. “See Alex, she doesn’t need you to coddle her. Unlike you, she went to Yale.” His megawatt smile beamed as he pulled me into a hug.
“Jesus Roman, you’re crushing her.” Alex yanked me out of Roman’s arms before whispering in my ear, “I did try to warn you.”
Apparently Roman had seen my name on the graduate list in an alumni email but failed to mention it to anyone, something that earned him a death stare from Alex. And after meeting his wife Lauren and their adorable little son, it was Eric’s turn, giving me a hug while he juggled his two kids and then introduced me to his wife, Tia. “Maya. Jesus, I had no idea you’d moved back.”
I hadn’t even had a chance to answer his question when Dave took over, giving me a hug and introducing me to Jessica, his beautiful smile making me feel more at ease as Nick stepped forth.
And yes, he was still thirty-five shades of fine, but it was probably the first hug he’d given me when I hadn’t tried to absorb every second. Weird. His embrace was warm as was his smile, his wife, Claire, just as kind.
Ironic how I’d always imagined myself in her place, and now that I was looking at him, it suddenly didn’t feel right anymore.
Maybe I’d been cured.
Healed from my obsession with the brothers, which meant my current feelings for Alex were nothing to worry about. But I didn’t have time to evaluate or enjoy it, a perfect red fingernail tapping me on the arm.
“And I’m Astrid. We already met at the door and like you, I’m with Alex.”
Not sure why she felt the need to issue me a reminder, I probably could have worked it out all by myself. I passed the bar in two states, would have definitely clued in that the man she was trying very hard to drape herself across like a jacket was attached to her in some way.
“We’re . . . friends.” He hesitated over the word, their relationship status a little more complicated than sh
e probably would have liked.
WOW.
There was that word again and somehow I didn’t think he meant it in the same context as he meant for me.
Her hand on his ass was my first clue, her other one edging to his crotch was a very clear second. She didn’t even care that his whole family was watching which made it clear they were probably used to it.
Astrid laughed, “Yes, we are good friends.”
Again, probably could have worked that out without her commentary.
Alex managed to tame her spaghetti arms, sparing the children in the room from what no doubt would turn into a hand job with a flick of Astrid’s wrist. Had to hand it to her—pun intended—she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
There were two types of ambitious people.
One who took adversity and rose above, not stopping at anything to get to their dream.
And the second kind, who preferred to step over people rather than do the work.
I wasn’t sure which one of those Astrid was, but I was positive I knew her endgame.
As Kate shuffled me into a chair, Alex disappeared with Astrid in tow. Maybe it was so she could finish what she started out of the view of minors, or maybe he had some explaining to do as to why he arrived with another woman—me.
I didn’t feel guilty; after all, I had no idea he’d been spoken for, and realistically we had done nothing to even feel guilty for. Still, I could understand why she’d be pissed. I was annoyed I was unwittingly dragged into the drama. And after what my father had done to my mother, there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d be someone else’s sidepiece.
And while the two lovebirds had disappeared, I was left to fend for myself.
That was something I hadn’t done before. That was sarcasm in case you didn’t catch it.
I fielded all sorts of questions from where I was living, what firm I was going to be working at and what the rest of my family was doing. Like a speed round reunion, the rapid-fire information shot out of my mouth with zero hesitation.
Alex had returned right around the time I was telling everyone about my two nephews, his “date” no longer with him.
“Astrid go home?” Kate turned her head, noticing the absence of the Scandinavian fairy princess and her ABBA-inspired wardrobe. I’d seen Classic Hits on VH1, and I knew my pop culture references.
