Page 40 of Her Goal
When her eyes land on me, she curls her hands into her sweater’s sleeves, then juts her chin in adorable defiance.
I say, “Sounds as if you have a thing for barbarians, Leah.”
Heat spills across her cheeks as her eyes form slits. My guess is that she’s at odds with herself. Wanting desperately to hate me, but there’s something hot and electric between us. Unless her body responds to me because I look like my brother, whom she was attracted to and it’s just a reflex.
Before I venture too far down that pity path, the other woman says, “So Robo, tell us what it’s like being a twin. Is he as good-looking as you and if so, can I have his number?”
Clearly, she doesn’t know about Leah and Hunter’s past. But I do.
“I wouldn’t give it to you if I had it.”
Her eyebrow hits the penthouse level.
“You wouldn’t want to know Hunter.” I realize how cruel the words sound, but it’s the sad truth.
Leah shakes her head with distaste. “You always thought you were better than him.”
There’s an argument to be made there, but it had more to do with trying to protect her than any high and mighty opinions I had about myself.
13
LEAH
My cousin excusesherself to chase down a slice of grilledeloteflatbread before it’s devoured. Panic spikes through me as I wonder how much of the conversation with her Hudson overheard. Actually, why do I even care?
He says, “Thanks for inviting me.”
“I didn’t, my parents did,” I say, harsher than I mean.
“Tia, Tia, watch this,” my baby cousin Josiah says as he jumps into the pool.
When he surfaces, thanks to the water wings on his arms, I clap and call, “Good jump!”
This would be a great opportunity to make a polite exit, but I notice Hudson glancing down at the empty glass bottle in his hand. My movement must get his attention.
He regards me for a long moment. “I’m not Hunter, you know.”
I give aduhroll of my eyes. “Obviously.”
Aunt Tracy appears. “Your mother said you know where the tonic water is.”
“Garage fridge on the right-hand door,” I answer.
She grins at Robo and then hurries off.
He says, “Chuck mentioned that he’d break Hunter’s legs.”
I press my hand over my mouth to suppress a laugh. My brother isn’t a tough guy. Then again, he’s been hanging around with hockey players for the last seven years and going to the gym lately, mostly for Marisol, and has built a lot of muscle.
A jellyfish-like blob of toddling cousins rushes by at the call for pool time, knocking into me. Without meaning to, I plant my hand on Hudson’s arm to steady myself. It’s solid marble under my palm.
My cousin Louisa skips by me and waggles her eyebrows.
I hiss, “It’s not what you think.”
Then she’s lost in the gaggle of cousins planning Catalina’squinceañera. Yes, my huge family is planning a party while at a party.
Hudson adds, “Where were we? Oh, right, if you have a chance later, ask Chuck what I said about that.”
