Page 58 of Holding On To Good

He nodded, one hand on Ian’s shoulder, his brown eyes unreadable, then slid his gaze from her to take in the argument between his brothers then shifted his attention back to her. Trying, she figured, to decide which problem to tackle first, only to step forward when Miles threatened to shove the goddamn half-and-half up Toby’s ass.

“Do I even want to know?” he asked Verity, who was still nibbling on her pizza.

“Nope. But if you want it to stop, you’ll drive to the store and pick up some heavy cream.”

“Jesus.” Urban shook his head. “Heavy cream? Really?”

She shrugged. “They’ll fight over anything.”

Urban elbowed his way between his brothers. “Verity will go to the store and get whatever it is you two idiots are squabbling about. After we eat.”

“How come I have to go?” She pointed the pizza crust at him. “And don’t even think about trying that old because I said so bit.”

“Consider it part of your punishment then.”

“Being a member of this family is my punishment. Fine. I’ll go but I’m taking Ian with me.”

“Can we get ice cream, Aunt Vee?” Ian asked, running up to her and grabbing her free hand. “Please?”

“Absolutely. Triple scoops.”

“I made panna cotta for dessert,” Toby pointed out.

“Eh. I’d rather have ice cream.”

Ian did a little hop. “Me, too!”

“Heathens,” Toby said but without any heat.

And like that, the conflict was resolved.

Seriously, these people needed to be studied for scientific purposes. They defied logic.

As if everyone remembered she was still there, a spectator to their little drama, they all faced her, five heads swinging her way in almost unison. Even the dog trotted over as if to get a front-row seat.

“Everything okay?” Urban asked her.

“No lasting effects from last night,” she assured him. “If that’s what you’re asking.”

Verity nudged him. “What happened last night?”

“Good,” he said, ignoring his sister’s question. “Did you need something?”

“Yes. I need you to accept my apology. For last night.”

“No, really,” Verity said, looking at her other brothers for an answer. “What happened last night?”

Toby shrugged. Miles grinned. Yeah, he definitely knew. At least about the drunk part.

About the kiss? Hard to tell.

“Apology accepted,” Urban said.

Willow blinked. She’d known he’d accept it—Urban was one of the nicest guys around—but this had to be some sort of record. “Just like that?”

“You know Urban doesn’t hold a grudge,” Verity said before turning her attention to Miles. “Unlike some people.”

“I forgive,” he said. “I just don’t forget.”

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