The Wrong Man (Alpha Men 3)

Her mother looked mollified by his explanation, but everybody else, even Charlie, was glancing between Lia and Sam with varying degrees of skepticism and outright disbelief on their faces.

“Why would you have his medication in the first place?” Daisy asked in confusion, and Lia patted nervously at her hair before replying.

“Uh. I’ve been helping him out with some of his household chores and stuff. Just until his arm is out of the cast.”

“I see,” Daisy said, even though she still looked completely confused. “I just thought Daff was going to lend a hand, because she’s closer.”

“Daff got busy helping Spencer with the business, and since I’m often at loose ends, I thought I’d lend a hand.”

“What do you mean, ‘often at loose ends’?” Sam surprised her by asking disbelievingly. “You’re the busiest person I know. You’re helping every single charity organization in town. I’m shocked you ever have a free moment to yourself.”

“Right?” Daff agreed. “I told her they take advantage of her good nature. They just keep piling on the tasks and Lia seems completely incapable of saying no.”

“I noticed that about her,” Brand said with a nod, and Lia frowned. Daff and Brand always seemed to find common ground over her shortcomings, which was getting a bit tedious.

“I told her she should charge them for her services,” Daff said, and Brand snorted.

“I’m quite capable of saying no,” Lia said levelly. “I just reserve it for people who annoy me, and right now that’s a pretty short list. When did you say you needed me to pick Charlie up from soccer practice again, Daff? I’m afraid something urgent has just come up on that day and I won’t be able to make it.”

“You don’t even remember what day it is,” Daff spluttered.

“I’m busy on all the days,” she said breezily. When Sam laughed, she pinned him with a glare. “Oh, and maybe you can fix your own breakfast tomorrow, Brand. I’m afraid I’ll be much too busy updating my Facebook settings at that time.” She shifted her gaze back to Daff before continuing, “I don’t only spend my time helping out charity organizations. Remember that next time you ask me to do you a ‘quick favor.’”

She put her newfound glower to good use and deliberately dismissed them by turning to Daisy, who was grinning widely.

“So would you be okay with me renting your house?”

“Of course I’m fine with it,” Daisy said warmly. “Happy it’s staying in the family. So much better than renting to strangers.”

“Thanks, Deedee,” she said.

Sam watched as Lia pointedly continued to ignore both Daff and him. Her setdown of them had been both gentle and effective, and Sam would have high-fived her for the eloquent little barb if he hadn’t been one of the recipients of said slight. Still, he couldn’t help silently cheering her spirited response.

He’d let her stew for now. Later, he’d take great pleasure in reminding her of the perks involved in preparing his breakfast.

“When’s the cast coming off, Brand?” Mason asked, and Sam shrugged.

“I’m going to Knysna next week to have this one removed and the arm X-rayed. They’ll probably recast it, but they’ll be able to tell me how much longer I’ll be stuck wearing this thing.”

“Yeah, you must be missing the water, hey?” Mason said sympathetically, before elaborating for the rest of the room. “I swear to God, Brand’s part fish. Swimming, scuba diving, surfing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking—anything on or in water, Brand has done it. Guy goes stir-crazy if he can’t swim a million laps a day.”

“How did you manage in Afghanistan?” Daisy asked curiously, and Sam felt his skin grow tight at the memory.

“Badly. I hated every second of it. I’m not cut out for all that sand. I would have preferred to be deployed to Bali, really. Or Bimini. Maybe the Seychelles.”

His response got a laugh from everybody except Lia, who still looked a bit miffed at him. He sent her a cheeky little wink, and her eyes widened in horror. She immediately glanced around guiltily to see if anyone else had noticed. Nobody had, of course, Sam was a little more careful than that.

Talk turned to more general topics after that, and breakfast ended soon after.

“Brand, you want to join Spencer and me later?” Mason asked. “We’re heading out to the local watering hole for a catch-up and some drinks.”

Sam cast a quick glance at Lia, gauging her reaction. She kept her face carefully averted and was talking to Charlie about something, but he knew she was listening to every word.

“I think I’ll leave you two to do a bit of brotherly bonding,” he said. “I have plans to take my injured, pain-riddled ass to bed for a couple of hours.” Preferably not alone.

“If you decide to join us, text me. We’ll be at Ralphie’s after seven tonight.”