Page 11 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

I held Biscuit tightly, glaring down at him. “You’re lucky you’re cute, you little troublemaker.”

Nate strolled over, shaking his head and laughing. “Welcome home, Lila. Looks like you brought the entertainment.”

I groaned, burying my face in Biscuit’s fur. “This is already a disaster.”

“Could be worse,” Jaxon teased, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “I think you’re good at handling whatever comes your way.”

I glared at him, but my stupid, traitorous stomach chose that moment to flip-flop.

This was going to be averylong day.

CHAPTERFOUR

Jaxon

I couldn’t believe it.

Lila was Lila Harper.

The same Lila I’d spent the last few hours fantasizing about, the one who had made my damn knees weak at 35,000 feet, was Nate’slittle sister.

The sister he’d always talked about protecting, the one he complained always attracted such sleazy guys.

Lila freaking Harper.

The situation was so surreal I half expected someone to pop out with a camera and tell me I was on some sort of hidden camera prank show.

“Jax, you good?” Nate asked as we left the airport, clapping me on the shoulder with the oblivious cheer of someone who didn’t know he’d just ruined my life.

“Yeah,” I managed, though my voice sounded strained even to my own ears. “Just… it was a long flight, and I didn’t know your sister was aboard…”

Not that I knew Lila.

This was the first time I’d met her.

“Well, she’s been gone a while. Hardly anyone around here recognizes her anymore.” Nate grinned, clearly thrilled to have her back. “Man, you should’ve seen the line of guys who used to follow her around. Had to scare half of ‘em off myself.”

I forced a chuckle, my stomach doing a full somersault.

Of course you did.

Lila glanced up at me then, just for a second, her hazel eyes wide and panicked before she quickly looked away again. She clutched that damn corgi of hers like it was a lifeline, her cheeks bright pink.

You and me both, sweetheart.

“Anyway,” Nate continued, oblivious to the tension crackling between us, “we’re having dinner at the house tonight to celebrate her being back. I already called the crew. You should come.”

I hesitated. “I don’t know, man…”

“Come on,” Nate insisted, waving a hand like it wasn’t even a question. “She’s family, and you’re family, too. My dad wants us to all be together. Plus, she’s gotta meet Ryan and Colt at some point.”

Ryan and Colt?

Great.

If tonight wasn’t already shaping up to be a clusterfuck, adding those two into the mix would certainly do it.

Lila hadn’t said a word, but I could practically feel the unease radiating off of her. She was still avoiding looking at me, and I didn’t blame her. This situation was a nightmare for both of us.

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