Page 68 of Phishing for Love
“Lisset.”
“Cool name.”
“What’s your name?”
“Aaron.”
“Are you cooking the steaks?”
Aaron seems startled by the left-field question.
I say quickly, “Grandpa’s cooking the steaks, sweetie.”
Her bottom lip juts out. “I think Aaron should cook them.”
Just then Kate, Mom, and Grandma appear in the garden. To my relief, that distracts Lisset and she runs off to call them over.
Aaron straightens. “Cute kid. Seems a little obsessed with steaks.”
I wave that away as if it’s nothing. “Yeah, she’s quite the carnivore.” Kate hands me a glass of wine, which I accept gratefully. “This is my sister, Kate.”
Kate raises an eyebrow. “You work with Tess?”
A smile tips Aaron’s lips. “I’m not sure I work with her as much as she works against me.”
Kate smirks. “Yeah, she’s famed for being a smart mouth.”
“I have firsthand experience of that.”
I sip from my glass. “How heartwarming to see you both bonding at my expense.”
Aaron’s smile widens to a grin. “And there she goes.”
“It’s a Miller family trait,” Kate informs him, like she’s testing him.
Appearing unfazed, Aaron replies, “It’s a Sinclair trait to give back as good as we get.”
Kate regards him with fresh eyes. So many men are intimidated by her that she’s always surprised when she meets one who isn’t. Nathan would never venture into this type of conversation with Kate.
“I heard you moved here,” Kate remarks.
“I did.”
“What happens when your contract is up?”
“I move on,” Aaron says bluntly.
It feels like there’s a world of information in that simple statement.
Kate presses her lips together and slants me a meaningful look. My sister puts a lot of effort into her facial gestures. If I’m reading this one correctly, it says,Be careful.
I’m trying, Kate.
“I wish I had a pet,” Lisset says suddenly, underscoring her words with a dramatic sigh. “Do you have a pet, Eric?” she asks slyly.
Eric shakes his head. “No, but when I was young, I had my own horse.”
“Oh, IwishI had a horse,” Lisset announces passionately.
