Page 53 of Keeping Happily Ever After

He’d go through the motions and give his promotion the respect it deserved. But then…what?

“Hey there, brother.”

He opened one eye, not bothering to get up from where he lay on the couch in the station lounge.

“Busy working hard, I see. No wonder the chief gave you the promotion.” She chuckled and sat down next to him.

It was good to hear Charlotte laugh again. Slowly, since she’d been home, she’d started to come out of her shell a little bit more and more as the threat of Billy on the other side of the country seemed to get further away.

“What are you doing here?”

“The chief needed some childhood photos for the big ceremony tonight. I was happy to bring them down. I mean, any chance to embarrass my little brother… But it looks like you need a hug or something.”

“I’m fine.”

“I can see that.”

“I’m resting.”

“You’re pouting.”

“I’m not pouting.”

“I know you.”

“I know me better.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

She sounded so self-satisfied, Jeremy took the bait. He pushed himself up to sitting and stared at his sister, whose mouth was set into a smug line.

“Got ya.”

He shook his head. As happy as he was to have his sister back in town, and safe, that didn’t mean that he was interested in any way in having a deep conversation about his feelings. Or Bella. Or either. She’d made her choice. Never mind that he’dmadeher choose.

Damn. Why had he made her choose?

He scrubbed his hand over his face.

Because he was a moron. That’s why.

Only a moron would make his girlfriend choose between the biggest career move of her life and them. Especially when that career move was going to make her a star. He was a selfish prick.

He didn’t deserve her.

“You’re being an idiot, brother.”

“What?” He stared at his sister, instantly defensive despite the fact that she was right. “I’m not—”

The shrill of the siren split the air.

Just as he’d been trained, Jeremy’s brain locked in on the alarm and the emergency that was filling the air. He moved automatically while the dispatcher’s voice came on.

Fire.

Four alarms.

Big Rock Inn.

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