Changing Roles

I cleared my throat and looked at him. He gazed back with his usual calm demeanor as he sipped his coffee. “I–I don’t want you seeing Shelby anymore.”

He tilted his head as he set down his mug. His face showed no surprise at my words, but his voice was firm. “I think that decision is up to her.”

I drew in a deep breath. “I’m asking you, Douglas, brother to brother. Leave her alone.”

He smirked. “Throwing out the brother connection? We’re only cousins, you know.”

I growled at him. “You know what I mean. And if that’s what it takes to get you to back off, yes.”

He sat back. “Why?”

“She’s special.”

He nodded. “She is. She is lovely, funny, and I enjoy her company. Why would I deny myself that?”

“Because I’m asking.”

“Not good enough. You said she was your houseke—ah, friend—why should it matter to you who she dates?”

“No. She’s more,” I insisted.

“I need more than that to agree to your, ah, request.”

I tightened my hands into fists on my leg. “Because. She–she means something to me.”

He took another sip of coffee, regarding me calmly. “What exactly does she mean to you, Liam?”

It burst out of me before I could stop myself. “I love her, Douglas! That’s what she means to me!”

His eyebrows shot up, and he pursed his lips. “So definitely more than merely your housekeeper. Can I ask what brought this on?”

I glared at him. “She made me a sandwich.”

“Wow. That must’ve been some sandwich. Maybe I should ask her to make me one.”

“No! She only makes them for me,” I spat at him.

Raising one eyebrow in typical Douglas fashion, he waited for me to keep speaking.

“She was mad at me, and still, she made me my favorite sandwich. She takes care of me. She cares for me. And I care for her. It just took me a while to figure it out. I know you think she is great, but I need you to back off.”

“Hmm, not sure. I like sandwiches. And Shelby.”

I was getting angry, which wasn’t helping my headache. I clenched my hands on my legs, resisting the urge to punch him in his handsome face. I had a feeling that wouldn’t end well for me. “Piss off. You can’t date her again.”

“Well, like I said, the lady may have something to say about that.”

I shook my head, glaring at him. “No, she won’t. She’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Surprisingly, he chuckled, reclining in his chair. “Relax, Liam. I was joking.”

“I don’t feel like joking right now, you arse.”

His expression became serious. “Talk to me.”

I stood, pacing, and spilled it. All of it. I told him the whole story of how she came into my life, how close we were, and my sudden epiphany last night. He listened without interruptions, waiting until I sat back across from him.

“How do you think Shelby feels?”

I shrugged. “She cares for me. I know that for certain. She’s skittish about relationships, though, and especially wary of my lifestyle.” I snorted. “And the vast difference in our ages.”

“Yeah. Five years. Huge, that. It’s only a number. Does she know your mum is four years older than your dad?”

I leaned forward. “No. I don’t think I ever told her that. It never seemed important to them.”

“You should tell her. It might help.” He sighed. “There are a lot of successful relationships, even in Hollywood, where the woman is older. It depends on your perspective. They don’t allow it to be a big deal.”

“You’re right. And I want the chance to explore it with her, if she’s willing. I’m asking you to step back. Please.”

“No need to ask. I wasn’t going to see her again, privately.”

“What? I thought you liked her! You just said—”

He held up his hand, silencing me. “I do like her. And she likes me. I think we’re going to be great friends, Liam. At least, I hope we are.” He paused as he got up and poured us both more coffee. “It was obvious last night. Shelby may have been out with me in body, but her mind was elsewhere.” He gave me a pointed stare. “It was with you. I’ve never known a housekeeper to be so worried about their employer being alone before.” He snickered. “Not that it is what we are really talking about here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Tell me, did you see her before she left last night?”

“Yes.”

“She looked lovely. Did you tell her that?”

“Yes.”

“What did she do?”

I thought about her reaction. “She blushed. She always does when I pay her a compliment.”

Douglas smiled ruefully. “I thought as much. I told her she was beautiful. She said thank you. No blush.”

“So?”

“My opinion didn’t mean as much as yours did, Liam. What I thought wasn’t as important as what you thought.” He took a sip of coffee, thinking. “She tried—I could see how hard she was trying to enjoy herself.” He shook his head. “She shouldn’t have to try so hard. And I shouldn’t have to worry about being a distant second to my idiot cousin. The only time I saw her really smile was when you texted her.”