Was that why he’d used his good looks and charisma like a weapon?
“How do you feel about Kyle now?” she asked.
“None of what bothered me then seems to matter anymore. I’ve come to terms with it.”
She got the feeling that wasn’t completely true. Maybe the animosity had died down, but…. “Do you think you’ll ever be close?”
“Probably not. Imagine taking two boys with strong personalities, competitive personalities, both oldest sons and trying to force one to become ‘the little brother’ after years and years of living a different life. Although I was younger, I refused to let Kyle best me at anything, and he resented the constant challenge.”
“I’m sure it didn’t help that you went your own ways so soon after your parents were married.”
“I don’t follow you….”
“You never really got a chance to adjust.” Kyle had headed off to college just two years after the wedding, right after she and Brandon went to Brandon’s junior prom, which was something that had always bugged Kyle—even though he and Olivia weren’t dating back then. By the time he returned, Brandon was gone. Then they started their careers and, with Brandon out of town so much, it’d been easy for Kyle to forget he even had a stepbrother. Most of the time, he hadn’t wanted to talk about Brandon.
“Actually I think we were both relieved about the separation,” he said with a wry grin.
“If he finds out I’m here, you could be looking at another challenge to your relationship.”
He winked at her. “I’m willing to take that risk.”
She glanced around the room. “You’re willing to take any risk.”
His eyes never left her face. She could feel his close regard, even though she avoided eye contact. “Only if I want something badly enough.”
Olivia’s phone rang, saving her from a response. She was glad. Whether or not he’d meant what he’d said as a pickup line, she’d felt a tingle down to her toes. She prayed her reaction was because her self-esteem had hit an all-time low. She needed to heal before she involved herself in another relationship, especially with someone so likely to use her without a second thought.
She checked Caller ID. It was her mother. Nancy had been expecting her and must be getting worried. They were supposed to make the favors for the reception after dinner tonight. Olivia had the supplies in her trunk.
Sending Brandon a look asking his forbearance, she overcame her reluctance to take this call and answered, infusing as much lift into her voice as possible. “Hello?”
“Where are you? I was sure you’d be here by now.”
Olivia allowed herself a grimace. “I, uh, had a little accident.”
“With your car?”
“No. I tripped while loading up and hurt my hand. So I’m running late.”
Brandon was watching her, but she continued to avoid his gaze.
“How bad is it? You didn’t break any bones…”
“I doubt it,” she said, removing the ice pack to take a look.
“Do you need Dr. Harris to x-ray it?”
“We’ll see. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Dinner’s at six.”
She heard the subtle threat in that statement. They’d eat without her if she wasn’t there. “I’ll make it.”
“Good. Kyle and Noelle are here waiting.”
“I bet they are.”
Her mother had to have heard the sour note in her voice, but, wisely, she didn’t react to it. Since the news of Noelle’s pregnancy, Nancy had done her best to minimize Olivia’s previous relationship with Kyle. The way she told the story, Noelle was marrying an “old friend” of her other daughter’s. Never mind that she and Kyle had slept together. Never mind that they’d talked about marriage themselves.
“Hurry. We have a lot to do.”
“See you soon.” After she hung up, she returned her attention to Brandon. “It was very gallant of you to rescue me from my imaginary bee attack, but I’ve got to go.”
“You sure you’re ready for what lies ahead?”
“No, but I never will be. It’s like going in for a root canal. Better to get the pain over with.” She rolled her eyes. “Noelle and Kyle are anxiously awaiting my arrival.”
“Lucky you,” he said dryly.
“Exactly.”
“Where are you staying?”
“My parents’.”
He made a face. “Isn’t your sister living there?”
She drank the rest of her wine, put her glass on the coffee table and got up. “Until Saturday night, when her new husband whisks her off to wedded bliss.”
“You’re more forgiving than I am.”
“I could pay for a hotel, but I’d be a hundred bucks poorer. How would that bother them?”
“Good point.” He stood, too. “Just don’t let loose on any inanimate objects again. You might break your other hand.”
“I’ve learned my lesson,” she responded, but just hearing her mother’s voice had put a lump in her throat. She couldn’t help feeling betrayed by her parents, too, because they were so eager to throw their support behind this wedding. She knew they had a grandchild at stake, but still…
After using his bathroom to fix her makeup, she found Brandon standing at the window, looking outside. “What do you think? Can you tell I’ve been crying?”
“I never would’ve guessed.”
She suspected he might be placating her, but she didn’t push. “Maybe I should change into something more conservative.”
“Are you kidding?” He whistled. “Let Kyle eat his heart out.”
That almost made her smile, until she imagined the reality of the next few hours. “I’ll probably be the miserable one.”
Although he continued to study her, she could tell he’d shifted gears. “If it gets too bad, you could always come back here.”
She arched her eyebrows. “So we could…”
His grin turned her knees to water. “Sleep. Of course. And I won’t charge you for the room.”
“Maybe you’d let me check out your big telescope,” she said, widening her eyes in feigned innocence.
“If you want to see the stars, I could give you a night to remember,” he said, playing along.
She laughed. “The ultimate revenge?”
“No,” he said, growing serious. “What I’ve wanted since prom.”