Page 5 of Romance Reset
“Uh-huh,” Mac stated with a dubious glare at his sister even as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her close for a sideways hug. “Guys, my sister, Marsali Jones, professional troublemaker.”
Marsali glared at her older and much taller brother before sticking her hand out to greet them.
“Lincoln Hayes.”
“Carter Hayes.”
“Ah, the neighbors,” Marsali said. “And all bachelors, I’ve heard.”
“See?” Mac said, the word followed by a groan. “Marse, stop trying to match up my friends. Before long I won’t have any single buddies left. Tonight is all about fun, not you adding to your client list.”
Marsali smiled what could only be called an ornery grin and Lincoln found himself chuckling. The two definitely fought like brother and sister, much like his twin teenagers, who’d taken Carter’s four-year-old daughter home from the party after an hour, citing boredom.
“What about you?” Carter asked, giving Marsali a once-over. “If you’re a matchmaker, where’s your ring?”
Lincoln wasn’t sure if the question was out of interest or mere curiosity, but it brought a flush of color to Marsali’s cheeks and a glare from Mac.
“No ring yet,” she said simply. “But trust me when I say my skills at matchmaking are superb.”
“Gotta give her that,” Mac stated somewhat drolly. “She might be a pain but she has a ninety-two-percent success rate.”
Lincoln was impressed by the percentage if nothing else. It was surprising given her age and sweet appearance.
“Marsali! Come here, girl, you have to meet someone,” a woman called from across the room.
Marsali lifted her hand to indicate she’d be right there.
“Duty calls. Gentlemen, it was lovely to meet you. Mac, stop scaring potential clients away,” she ordered, smiling at them before she left to join the crowd across the room.
“She’s cute,” Carter said.
Lincoln winced and watched as Mac glowered at Carter in typical older-brother style.
“Off-limits.”
Carter grinned and Lincoln took hold of Carter’s shoulder, tugging him away from the bigger, bulkier Mac. Sometimes he wondered if his little brother had the sense God gave him to steer clear of trouble rather than run toward it. “Haven’t I taught you not to poke a bear? Buddy rule counts here.”
“Exactly. Off-limits,” Mac repeated, nodding in response to Lincoln’s words.
After a hard look at Carter, their host excused himself to mingle.
“She is really cute. I could see her—”
“No,” Lincoln said.
Carter laughed even as he took a drink.
“Fine. I’ll go find someone else to hit on then.”
Knowing his brother, it wouldn’t take him long. Carter had a bad-boy look about him but tended to be a romantic. Carter seemed to attract the type of women who weren’t looking for more than a good time. It had landed his brother married—and divorced—twice.
Thirty minutes later, Lincoln settled himself onto the patio furniture lining Mac’s deck and took a drink from the bottle he held. A few people wandered around Mac’s yard, looking at the newly designed landscaping recently finished by one of Carter’s subcontractors. Thankfully the deck was quiet given the mugginess of the August night.
“Nice and quiet out here,” a soft, feminine voice said from behind him.
Lincoln turned to find Marsali slowly moving toward him from the door she’d exited off of the kitchen. “Hey. Are you enjoying the party?”
“Yes. I didn’t realize my brother was such a good host,” Marsali said with a grin. “May I join you?”
