“What’s going on with you?” she asked.
“Not much. Busy. Same old, same old.”
“You looked sad when I came over. Are you okay?”
“Sad? No.”
“Maybe not sad. Pensive.”
I shook my head. “Just looking at all the new faces.”
“I know. So many.” She winked. “What about you, Ava? Got anyone hidden away? Someone you’re having fun with but not introducing to this crazy lot?”
I blinked at her. “Why-why would you say that?”
What had Ronan and Liam been saying?
She laughed and nudged me with her elbow. “Teasing. I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Introducing anyone to this bunch would be overwhelming. You’d have to be pretty damn certain of a future with them.”
I relaxed. “Right. Well, no chance of that.”
She nodded and finished her meal. “I hear you. I need a refill. You want anything?”
I looked down at my still mostly full plate. “Nope, I’m good.”
“Okay. How about lunch next week? I’m in Toronto on Wednesday. Uncle Bent has a project he wants me to look at.”
“Sounds good. Call me in the morning.”
With a fast kiss on the cheek, she was gone, flitting away to visit with her parents or Nan and Pops. She was like a butterfly, alighting somewhere briefly, never staying long.
Somehow, that made me think of Hunter. He never stayed long either. Apparently, it was his mantra. I tried to imagine him here, in this group. He would hate it. The laughter and camaraderie. The oversharing. The sheer number of people gathered around with one common denominator—the love of family.
Yep, he would hate it.
I looked down at my plate, my appetite off. Strangely what I wanted was some of Hunter’s slightly burned toast. I pushed down the feeling of sadness once again and picked up my fork, knowing I needed to eat or questions would be asked.
Suddenly, the cushions on either side of me depressed, and I found myself in the middle of a Liam and Ronan sandwich. I rolled my eyes, cursing the fact that I had sat on the center cushion.
They each rested an arm over the back of the sofa, effectively caging me in.
“Hey, big sis,” Ronan uttered with a grin. “How’s it going?”
“You look lonely sitting here all by yourself,” Liam added.
“Sammy just left, so I am hardly lonely.” I stuck my fork into the hash browns and lifted it to my mouth. My aunt made awesome hash browns, and they were my favorite. “Feel free to go away.”
“Where’s the boy toy?” Ronan asked in a low voice. “Waiting at the house?”
“Shopping for dinner?” Liam chuckled.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Lemme refresh your memory. Hunter Owens,” Ronan whispered. “What the hell is going on between you two?”
“Nothing. I told you. Cash got loose, and I helped him.”
“You helped him grocery shop too?” Liam interjected.
“I was being nice.”
“Nice enough he left beard burns on your neck. Don’t try to pretend with us,” Ronan drawled. “The sexual tension between you two was so thick, I could cut it with a knife.”
“Your imagination is running away with you,” I said as firmly as I could.
“Really?” he challenged me. “You’re telling me you’re not playing hide the salami with the guy?”
I tried not to laugh at his description. “Is that what you and Beth do?” I asked. “Hunter’s more of a bucking bronco kind of guy, if you must know.”
He looked squeamish. “Jesus, Ava. TMI. You could have just nodded.”
“You brought it up. Not me.”
“I don’t want to think about you doing that,” he hissed. “You’re my sister.”
“Then you shouldn’t have asked.”
“I’m sorry I did.”
I had to laugh at his horrified expression. I rubbed his arm. “It’s okay, Ronan. I’m only joking.”
“I doubt it.”
“I guess you’ll never know.”
“Is he renovating to live there?” Liam asked quietly.
“No. He plans to lease it, I think. Use it on occasion. I’m not involved in his decision-making in regard to the future.”
“So, this, whatever it is between you, is casual.”
I met his eyes. “On both sides, Liam. I’m a big girl, and I can look after myself.”
“I’m aware. I don’t have to like it, though.”
I shrugged. “My private life is just that. My private life. I didn’t interfere when you married Paige a few weeks after you met her.” I glanced at Ronan. “And I supported you even when you were being an asshole with Beth. So, stay out of my business.”
Ronan snorted. “You went behind my back and talked to Beth.”
“Which got you back together. Hunter is Mr. Owens’s grandson. He’s fixing up the place and going to move on. I’ve tried to be helpful. What happens is between us. No one else. Leave it alone.”
“We’re just worried,” Liam admitted. “We don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Like I said, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. If I choose to have or not have a casual relationship with someone, it’s not your concern.”