First Time in Forever (Puffin Island 1)

“True, but she demonstrated the same psychotic tendencies seen in other murderers. Lack of compassion and lack of remorse.”

“Maybe my childhood was closer to a fairy tale than I thought.”

“Too many elements missing. For a start, you didn’t find your prince.” He glanced at her left hand. “You’re single.”

“Whenever I saw him climbing up the tower to my bedroom I gave him a push.”

“Yeah? Just for my own interest and research, what was it that put you off?”

“He was creepy.”

“Right.” His smile faded. “So you and Lana weren’t close as children?”

“I was the ugly sister.”

“Given how manifestly wrong that description is, I assume it was hers.”

“It wasn’t wrong. She was very beautiful.” Emily thought about the reality of her childhood. “And, no, we weren’t close. We were just people living under the same roof for a little while. It was a shock when they called me to say she’d named me guardian, but then I thought about it and realized there wasn’t anyone else. It was a decision made out of necessity, not choice.”

“Did she leave you a letter?”

“Nothing.”

“So one minute you were living your life, a life in which you’d had no contact with your half sister since you were a teenager, and the next you were guardian to her child. That is a major life change. Were you working? What did you do with the math and economics you studied?”

“Up until last month I was a management consultant. I worked for Taylor Hammond in New York.”

He looked impressed. “That’s the big-time.”

“They had a reorganization and there was no job for me in the new structure. I was interviewing for new jobs when I found out about Lizzy.” She clenched her hands in her lap. “Skylar would make some observation about how that was an indication that this was meant to be. How one day I’ll look back and be pleased this happened.”

Ryan gave a low laugh. “Kirsti would probably say the same thing. She believes in fate. So, are you missing New York? You had a life there.”

Emily wondered if what she’d had could really be described as a life. “I had a job and a boyfriend.”

“So there was a prince. You pushed him down the tower with the others?”

“He jumped. He got a look at the princess, decided she didn’t look like a good deal and got the hell out.” It helped to make a joke of it. “He dumped me a month ago.”

“Not very princely behavior. And that was before Lizzy was on the scene. So it wasn’t because of the child?”

“No.” She stared at the mess on the floor. “Not because of that.”

“How long were you together?”

“Three years. Two of which we lived together.”

“Life really has dealt you a hand.” His gaze was steady. Sympathetic. “I just want you to know I’m here for rebound sex or revenge sex whenever you need it. Just say the word. Or just grab me and explain afterward, whatever works for you.”

She wouldn’t have thought it possible to want to laugh at that moment, but she did. “Did you really just say that?”

“I really did. Want to think about it?”

The crazy thing was she had thought about it. What woman wouldn’t? Ryan Cooper was insanely attractive. If all you were looking for was a night you’d never forget, he’d be the perfect choice. “I’m trying to be a responsible parent figure. I’ve already lost the bear. I think being caught having sex on the kitchen table would be a major fail.”

“Possibly. So, just to clarify—the only thing that’s stopping you is that your niece is asleep in the living room?”

“I can’t believe I’m laughing. What is there to laugh about?”