Page 37 of The Broken Heart Playlist
Standing next to Gideon, Lisset is beaming with pride, her fatigue set aside for the moment. She skips out of the kitchen, no doubt on the hunt for Tess’s cat, Ash.
“A glass of Cava?” Tess asks, referring to the sparkling wine of Spain, clearly going all out on her Spanish theme tonight. “Or we’ve got some rosé?”
“I can’t,” I say reluctantly, even though I could really do with a glass or two of wine to take the edge off today. “I’m driving.”
Gideon immediately puts down his wine glass. “Go ahead,” he says. “I’ll drive you home.”
“What about you?”
“I walked here.”
Only now do I realize I didn’t see his car parked in the driveway. “Youwalked!” It’s winter. Granted, it’s not raining, but it still feels like an odd choice. “It must have taken you at least half an hour.”
“It was a good walk. Cleared my head.”
I glance at the wine he pushed aside. “But you’re already drinking.”
“It’s fine, Kate,” he says softly. “It seems like you’ve had a rough day. Relax and enjoy a glass of wine.”
I bite my lip. I’m rarely this indecisive, but Gideon driving us home later in my car feels next-level cozy. “Are you sure I’m not spoiling your evening?”
For the span of three breaths, he stares at me steadily. Patiently. “I’m sure.”
I look away, flushing. Abruptly, I’m aware of the presence of Tess and Aaron standing frozen in the kitchen watching Gideon and I go back and forth. Aaron is frowning, but Tess has a look of pure delight on her face. All she needs now is popcorn.
Aaron opens his mouth and I have a hunch he’s about to offer to drive me home. Over the last year or so, he’s become surprisingly protective of me, nearly as much as Tess. Before he can say anything, though, a not-so-discreet elbow jab from Tess in his ribs shuts him up.
“That’s so kind of you, Gideon,” she says, smiling sweetly at him and practically shoving a glass of Cava into my hands. She sends me a pointed look.
“It is,” I say. “Very kind. Thank you.”
Sometimes, it’s easier to simply go along with my sister and spare myself the ensuing headache. I take a sip of my wine, feeling some of the tension leave my body.
Lisset bounds into the kitchen, crashing into Gideon. He steadies her with a hand on her shoulder, his face relaxed, showing no annoyance.
“Want me to show you Ash?” she asks him. “He’s the cat.”
“Sure,” he says easily.
“I’ll come with you,” offers Aaron.
I hide a smile. My brother-in-law is as untrusting as I am.
As soon as they’re gone, Tess whips her head in my direction. “Okay, what’s going on between you and Gideon?”
“Nothing.”
“It certainly doesn’t feel like nothing.”
I agree, but I sip my wine and keep quiet. I’m not foolish enough to hand over the equivalent of a loaded gun to Tess.
“It’s been nearly a week since you were Miss Ice Queen to Gideon on our walk. Things have definitely progressed since then. What happened?”
“Nothing’s happened. I’ve run into him a couple of times,” I tell her, opting for a casual shrug. “We’ve chatted and I’ve got to know him a little better.”
Except, now that I think about it, have I really gotten to know him more? Despite our talks, he remains an enigma.
Tess checks on the paella. “Well, he showed up with flowers and a bottle of expensive wine, so he has my vote.” She lets loose with a violent sneeze.
