She wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself. A little of both, perhaps. “She sounds like a wonderful woman. Having met your dad, I’m sure they were very happy together.”
“God, you are something else, Shelby.” He touched her chin. “Look at me, darlin’.”
She did, unable to resist him. Gazing into his brown eyes sent a new round of shivers through her body.
“Besides my brothers, you’re the only one I’ve ever talked to about my mom. I was getting sad and you knew just what to say to lift my spirits.” He leaned in and kissed her, his mouth conquering hers. She melted into him, enjoying the feel and taste of his lips.
“What’s this?” Alex’s voice crashed into her ears.
She unlocked her lips from Justin’s and looked up at Alex, his brother, who was frowning.
“None of your business, bro,” Justin said. “Move along, please.”
“I think I need to go.” She suddenly wished for the power to vanish in a puff of smoke.
“It’s okay, darlin’.” Justin pulled her tight into him. “This is our date.”
She shook her head. “Not a date. Lunch.”
“Shelby, I love my brother, but you don’t know him the way I do,” Alex said firmly.
“Just lunch,” she said, though knowing it was already more than that. Much more.
“What about the kiss I just witnessed?” Alex asked. “Not typical for the lunches I’ve been to.”
Justin smirked. “Perhaps you should pick better lunch dates then, bro.”
“Please stop this, guys.” Why was she acting like an outsider? Like a woman caught between two rival men trying to placate them?
Because I’m an idiot. Was she really ready to repeat the past? She’d been down this road before.
This was Wilde. Two men could share a woman here, especially brothers. By the scowl on Alex’s face and Justin’s possessive tug, the Champions weren’t ready to share a damn thing.
“Hear me out, Shelby. Justin’s MO is to break hearts. I don’t want that happening to you.”
Neither do I. She was about to demand Justin move so she could get out of the booth and exit when the door to Norma’s opened. The two women entering shocked her into silence.
“Hello, Shelby.” Norma walked over to her booth. Behind the former owner of the diner came Lily, one of her daughters.
“When did you get to town?” Shelby asked her.
“Just now. Tried to call you a couple of times yesterday and then my phone went dead.” Norma looked like she’d aged several years since Samantha’s death. The former owner of the diner had left Wilde after the tragedy. “I have a favor to ask you,” Norma said sheepishly. “Do you mind if we join you and your beaus?”
“They’re not my beaus, Norma,” she corrected.
“I’m not yet, but give me time and who knows?” Justin smiled and motioned for Norma and Lily to sit across from them.
“Don’t give him an inch, Shelby. I know my brother, and you don’t want to get mixed up with his kind.” Alex stepped aside, the remnants of his former frown still present on his lips, though lesser. Since the arrival of the two former Wilders, his apparent shock of seeing her kiss his brother was muted for the time being.
“These two aren’t from here, are they?” Lily asked her.
“Nope. Elko.”
“Figures.” Samantha’s sister’s lips twisted into a mocking grin. “I can spot Elko boys a mile away. Go Wolves.”
“Go Indians,” Justin snapped back and then held out his hand to Norma. “Justin Champion, ma’am.”
“Norma Harris.” The woman grabbed his hand and shook it.