“And yours isn’t?” I tease.
“Oh, it is. But I know better than to tell Summer no.”
I tap my fingers on my belly, laughing again. Summer has Daniel wrapped around her little finger. But the man also doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want, so there’s that.
“Okay. Let’s—Bing, no!” For the love of all that is holy! I sprint to the foyer to assess the damage. How did he manage to open the closet and take out a pair of shoes? And why didn’t I notice?
“What?”
“Sorry, I was talking to the dog.”
“You got a dog?”
“No, it’s my friend’s. Damn, I’ve got to go if I want to salvage my shoes. I’ll text you, okay?”
“Sure.”
I barely wrestle my shoe out of Bing’s grip. After a quick assessment, I hand it back to him. It’s damaged beyond repair anyway.
“Bing, we need to have a talk. You do not attack my possessions when I’m distracted. And talking to Daniel is a major distraction. I know it shouldn’t be, okay? We’re ancient history, but it is what it is.” I waggle my finger at him. “And I need your full cooperation.”
Bing chews happily on my shoe, and I pat him on the head with a sigh, returning to the couch. The photo of baby Maddox, Summer, and Daniel is still splashed on my screen. I sigh, taking in Daniel’s dark, almond-shaped eyes, his charming smile.
Clearly, there’s no expiration date on calling him an ex. He’s still firmly in that category, with the label dangerous on it. Charming, delicious, and dangerous.
Chapter Two
Daniel
“I can’t believe how much he looks like Blake,” Summer says as we step inside the hospital’s underground parking lot.
I bite back a laugh. I don’t see any resemblance between the baby and my brother. All babies look the same to me, but I voiced that opinion half an hour ago, and my ears are still ringing with her explanation of eyebrow shapes, ear pointedness, and whatnot. I learn from my mistakes.
“Crap! I have a flat tire.”
We come to a halt in front of her black Ford Focus, and her front tire looks as if it melted into the concrete.
“I’ll change it for you. You have a spare?”
My sister beams. “Yes, yes I do. Thank you so much. You are the best brother in the world.”
“I bet you say that to all our brothers.” We have seven other siblings: two sisters and five brothers. Since Summer is the youngest, we’ve all spoiled her rotten. I was three when she was born, and fell right under her spell. Not much has changed in the twenty-seven years since.
“I will neither confirm, nor deny it.” She grins, opening her trunk. I take out her spare tire and bring it to the front.
“You did some damage. I’m surprised you didn’t feel it on the way here.”
“Wasn’t paying too much attention. I was too excited to get here.”
That I can understand. I practically flew out of a meeting when I got the call. It’s not every day that my twin brother becomes a father.
Rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, I get to work on the tire. “By the way, the stunt with the shoes wasn’t smooth.”
“It wasn’t a matchmaking attempt. I do need the shoes, but I leave for LA tomorrow for the gallery’s workshop, remember? I’m coming back next Monday, and I need the shoes for an event on Tuesday.”
“And you couldn’t have asked Pippa?” Our oldest sister and Caroline are close friends. I don’t mind an excuse to see Caroline, but it’s important to call out my sisters on their matchmaking attempts; otherwise, things could escalate quickly.
“You’re picking me up from the airport when I return. You can bring them then. Makes perfect sense.” She smiles devilishly, clearly bursting to say more.