Page 56 of The Deadbeat Next Door

Aubrey, his brother Noah’s assistant and not one of his sisters. Jealousy flared brighter. “You know it’s not normal for families to drink to excess every time they’re re-united, right?”

“Actually,” Cody said. “I think it’s probably more normal than you realize. Aubrey, this is my friend, Carrie Harrison.”

The fire was behind Aubrey, so I couldn’t see her facial expression, but I could see her bounce onto her toes. “The fake fiancée,” she said. She stuck out her hand and I shook it. “I’m so glad to have another non-family member to keep me sane. Come on, I’ll introduce you and then we can psychoanalyze them while they drink themselves stupid.”

My irrational jealousy was eased by Aubrey’s words. “Sounds like my favorite way to spend an evening.”

Aubrey introduced me around and Cody’s siblings all said hello very politely, but they were distracted by Cody’s presence and enveloped him in hugs and questions. Aubrey pulled me away from the circle to the edge of the patio. From that viewpoint, we could see the lights of the city blocking out the stars. “I don’t mean to be pushy,” she said. “But I’ve found that the best way to understand the Reynolds clan is to observe them from a distance, especially when they’ve been drinking. It is immensely revealing. If you’d rather stand next to your man, feel free.”

She spoke with a frankness and a sincerity that made me feel immediately at ease with her. I liked her and could imagine her becoming a friend if Cody and I were a real couple. “He’s not my man. He’s my pretend fiancé, and I’m quite happy to watch him from a distance.”

Cody chose that moment to seek me out, he shot me a warm smile and returned to the conversation he was having with one of his sisters.

“Doesn’t look so fake from where I’m standing,” she said. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No, thank you. I’m still hung over from the last time I got drunk.”

Aubrey laughed. “You are much wiser than me my friend.” She put her glass to her lips and took a long swallow. “Drinking is the only way I’ve found to survive all the time I’ve been forced to spend with Noah.”

“Is he that difficult?”

She gave me a sad smile, the firelight flickering prettily over her sharp, angular features, her bright eyes flashing. “Quite the opposite, I’m afraid,” she said. “But he doesn’t see me. I’m just one of the guys to him.”

“How can you be sure? If you haven’t told him how you feel, maybe he’s secretly harboring feelings for you.”

She sighed. “I gave him the test and he didn’t even notice.”

“The test?”

She looked at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t often share my tricks with strangers, but I’m more than a little tipsy and it’s nice to have a non-Reynolds to speak to, so I’m going to tell you something you must never reveal to anyone.”

“I promise.” I was beginning to suspect this woman was crazy, but her friendliness and likability made it a tolerable crazy.

“I had…A bad experience when I was younger and it made me wary of men. I could have hidden away and cowered like a scared little rabbit, but I created a system of tests and tricks to be sure I understood the men I came into contact with and their intentions. Men are generally very simple and very easy to read, but Noah is better than most at keeping his feelings hidden. I know he’s kind and generous, loyal to his family and his family’s business, but I didn’t know for sure how he felt about me. I’ve had to resort to more elaborate games to figure out what secrets lurked in the recesses of his mind.”

This woman should write a book. “You should write a book,” I said. “You’d make millions.”

She smiled. “I’m not so sure. I think most people prefer the mystery. The truth is rarely pretty or palatable. I’ve never been afraid of the truth. The truth makes me feel safe.”

“What was this test of yours?”

“Noah has destroyed every one of my theories, so I had to create a new test for him. It’s called the compassion test.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not an emotional person and Noah knows me better than I’ve ever let anyone know me. He’s never seen me cry or be more than the efficient and capable assistant and friend he expects me to be. Since we’ve started living together, though, I’ve had the opportunity to do more. I waited until I knew he’d be home and I dropped onto the couch and sobbed.”

“Impressive.” I was no actress, I could never pull that off.

She shrugged. “He walked in, saw me crying, and stayed on his side of the room. He asked what was wrong and what he could do.”

“That was nice of him.”

She shook her head. “No. What he was really asking was how soon he could get back to his day and his friend could get back to normal. A man who really cared would have held me while I cried, would have been sad that I was sad.”

“Cody punched my nephew for making me cry.”

She grinned and bounced a bit. “I told you he’s crazy about you. He doesn’t just care for you, he feels empathy for you, he wants to hurt what’s making you hurt.”

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