***
“You look incredible,” Michael said when I opened my front door. “As always.”
“Thank you.” I shrugged and stood back to let him inside. “Let me grab my shoes, and I’ll be ready.”
“Take your time,” Michael said playfully. When I turned back to look at him, he was staring at my ass with a grin on his face.
“Behave yourself,” I teased.
“Never.”
I shook my head and slid my feet into a pair of boots. I was wearing a simple, knee-length sweater dress. The weather was getting colder by the day, so my options were limited.
“Ready?” I asked, smoothing out my dress and smiling at Michael.
He just nodded and escorted me outside. We hurried to the car, which Michael already had warmed up for me. I slid inside as he shut my door and ran around the front of the car.
“You nervous?” he asked on the way to the restaurant.
“A little,” I said with a shrug. I didn’t want to admit it, but Michael already knew me well enough to see through my façade. “Are you?”
Michael nodded. “My brother has never met any of the women in my life.”
“Oh, I feel special,” I said, poking Michael’s arm.
“You are.”
“So,” I said. “Is this your adopted brother? You never said.”
“My biological brother,” Michael said simply. “My adopted parents never had any other kids. Just me.”
“Oh wow.” My eyes widened. “When did you and your brother meet, then?”
“A little while ago,” Michael said without looking at me. He was staring intently at the road ahead of us. “I don’t remember exactly.”
“That’s crazy,” I said under my breath.
“What?” Michael asked. “What is?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. Now wasn’t the time to talk about Joshua.
We pulled up to the restaurant, and Michael parked quickly. My head was spinning as we walked toward the entrance. Michael slid his hand into mine gently. I smiled at him, but I was still thinking about our conversation.
How weird was it that both Joshua and Michael had biological brothers they didn’t meet until they were adults?
We stepped inside, and a rush of warm air brushed my face. I shivered slightly at the temperature change. Michael wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. I grinned up at him, all thoughts of Joshua driven from my mind.
“He’s probably already here,” Michael said. He looked around the dining area. “He’s always early.”
I imitated Michael, my eyes scanning the room slowly. I didn’t know what his brother looked like, but I felt like I should help.
As I looked around, my gaze fell on a familiar face in the center of the room. His head had been bent down, examining a menu. When he looked up, my eyes fell on his face, and my stomach clenched painfully. I would recognize that face anywhere.
“What the hell is he doing here?” I asked out loud.
Michael jerked and looked at me. Following my gaze, he saw who I was looking at. I stared up at him as an odd expression crossed over his face.
“Who?” he asked nervously.