Page 22 of The Broken Heart Playlist
“Not where it counts,” she retorts, a wicked glint in her eyes. “I’m trying to get Aaron to grow a beard, but he’s having none of it.”
“Why not?” I ask absently, still keeping a wary eye on Gideon who’s heading our way.
“He said a beard would drive him to distraction and that’s currently my role.”
I snort.
“Gideon Walker looks perfect for you,” she adds slyly.
Could she be any more obvious? She’s like a human version of Tinder. Everything about her is screaming,swipe right! swipe right!
“This is why I don’t tell you anything,” I say. “Because you react like this.”
“Wait, what are you wearing?” Her eyes land on my oversized sweater and her face falls. “What were you thinking when you opted for that size? That you might need to fit another person inside there?”
I roll my eyes. “What does it matter what I’m wearing?”
“It always matters,” she mutters. “On the positive side, at least he can borrow your sweater when you date.”
“He’s not going to ask me out on a date. And anyway, I wouldn’t say yes.”
“At least your leggings are form-fitting. They show off your legs nicely.”
Tess’s ability to filter out anything that doesn’t fit her vision is intensely annoying. My level of alarm is rising with each passing second.
“Tess, please, don’t embarrass me,” I say in a low voice. “Try to rein yourself in.”
“Sister, however I will wrong you in the future, I truly am sorry.”
“Stop with the Thor thing,” I hiss.
And then Gideon is in front of us, his dog at his side. He’s wearing jeans and a sweater that’s tight across his shoulders. It’s a casual, relaxed look, in sharp contrast to Aaron, who feels more at home in tailored suits.
I feel the impact of Gideon’s presence low in my belly. It stuns me that I’m attracted to him. It’s been years since I felt like this.
“Kate,” he says, the smile in his voice disarming me.
“Hello, Gideon.”
He flicks a glance at Tess, who’s directing a dazzling smile his way, showing off the dentistry that cost our parents a small fortune.
Gideon raises his eyebrows expectantly at me.
I let out a long-suffering sigh. “Gideon, this is my sister, Tess. I apologize in advance for anything that might come out of her mouth.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he says with a smile, shaking her hand. “That’s quite an introduction.”
“I’m quite a woman,” she responds.
An appreciative laugh rumbles out of his chest. I raise my eyes heavenward.
“Who is this handsome hound?” Tess asks, still clearly in Thor mode.
“Uno, my rescue greyhound.”
“A former racing dog?”
“Yes.”
