McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

I smirk because Sirena isn’t impressed when someone mentions the likeness between him and me. “He’s handsome, right?”

Brooke laughs while Sirena rolls her eyes. “He’s handsome, just like his uncle.”

“Ugh, you have to say that!” Sirena complains. “He’s your boyfriend.”

“No, I don’t have to say that.” Brooke smiles at Sirena before meeting and holding my gaze. “I’d like to think that Michael likes me for my honesty.”

I’m left speechless for a change and so is my sister.

Brooke grins. “Well, I guess that was too honest, huh?”

“Hell no!” I say.

“Welcome to the McKenzie family, Brooke,” Sirena gushes, giving her another hug.

“More female bonding?” Garrett asks.

“I guess.”

Welcome to the McKenzie family.

Those words make my heart flutter with a mixture of joy and panic. They also make me want to chat with my cousin Alexander. We’re in our twenties, but we’ve always been each other’s wingman, until now. It feels strange, but as I follow everyone through the hotel and up to the suite that Garrett has booked, the idea of Brooke as my family starts to grow on me. The panic isn’t there like it was a few moments ago.

I only have to remember how she was holding Elias to imagine her holding our own child. Something I’ve never seen with any woman before Brooke. Not that there’s been that many women.

39

Brooke

“Where have you been?”

I’m jolted out of my thoughts when I hear those words uttered in anger by Sinclair, the second I step foot through the door into the kitchen.

He’s sitting at the table with a glass of wine in one hand and crackers and cheese on the plate in front of him. “Not going to answer?” He holds my gaze and I feel my nerves dance. He’s never been like this before.

I want to be ignorant and pretend he isn’t sitting there, but instead, I pull a chair out and drop down, joining him. “I was out picking up Michael’s sister and her husband from the airport along with their two month old son. He’s so sweet.”

“I didn’t come here to see you to have you ignore me, Brooke. I thought we could work on writing that book we’ve talked about.”

Tugging my lip between my teeth, I don’t know what to say because I’d forgotten that we’d discussed our ideas. “I’m sorry.” I shrug. “I actually had no clue you would be here when I arrived, so I’d planned on reading and just relaxing.”

“I noticed the way Michael looks at you. He can’t take his eyes from you, and I don’t exist when he’s in the room. It isn’t fair to me, Brooke.”

I gasp and jump up from the chair. “What are you talking about? Me and you are just friends, Sinclair.”

He shoves the chair back, places both his hands on the table and leans closer. “We’ve been friends for years, and you know I want more.”

My heart pounds at his words and it makes me wonder whether it’s him or Carrie talking. I didn’t think, for one minute, that my sister would sit back and let me be with Michael. She’d have to cause more trouble because that’s the way she’s made. So now I’m wondering if she’s going through Sinclair to do that. I would never have thought it from him though.

“It’s because of our friendship that I haven’t been blunt and to the point.” I inhale and hope he accepts what I say. “You are more like a brother to me, Sinclair.” I run my hands through my hair at the hurt look on his face. “I’m sorry.”

Silence follows, but not for long. “Carrie said—”

“What did Carrie say?” she asks, strolling into the kitchen in her silk wrap.

“You told me,” Sinclair starts, and gets a raised brow from my sister, “that Brooke was shy and needed a nudge in the right direction.” He hisses. “You’re both liars.”

“Sinclair,” Carrie mumbles, stepping into his space, her hand on his chest.