Page 39 of If You Were Mine
Isabella paled and cursed. “I hate not knowing everyone’s family history. I’m going to step in it one day.”
“You won’t,” Flynn said softly as he reached across me to pat her hand. “Because if you do accidentally, we know that you’re not being malicious. And Hudson’s secrets are his own. To the fact that I don’t even know all of them and I’m his twin. I don’t think he needs a girlfriend, but maybe just to get laid,” he added, trying to lighten the mood.
Isabella rolled her eyes, as I fist-bumped both Weston and Flynn.
“Oh Dorian, it’s so good to see you,” an older woman said as she came forward. I couldn’t remember her name but I knew she worked at the restaurant. I didn’t bother standing up because all she did was squeeze my shoulder and pat my hand and repeat that she was so glad that I was healthy and coming back to Cage Lake after so long.
Tension rode my shoulders as one of the bartenders of the local dive bar came over and said the same thing, as well as a woman I knew worked at a knitting store or something like that. A craft store? I didn’t know. The Cages didn’t own it, and it wasn’t like I knew how to knit.
However, by the time the seventh person came over to make sure that I was okay and didn’t need anything, and were so happy that I had survived, I was done. I could not take one more platitude, one more worry.
Because the problem was, they weren’t faking it. This wasn’t undue pity.
They were mourning Joshua. Maybe not like I was. Definitely not like Harper. But they were missing the town’s son. And they almost lost me too.
And I was done.
“Harper!” Isabella said, cutting through what I hoped to be the final person coming over to check on me.
My shoulders tensed again, and I glared at my sister, scooting over one seat so there was an empty space between us.
This woman was diabolical, and I wasn’t sure if she was aware she was doing it.
“Come and sit next to me. I need a familiar face between all this testosterone.”
I turned, throat tight as Harper walked over. She’d cut bangs into her hair since I had last seen her, and it hadn’t been a full twenty-four hours yet. They just framed her face even more, and dammit, she was so fucking sexy.
Why the hell was I even thinking that?
No, she was off limits. Definitely off limits.
“The place is busier than usual so I’m grateful for the seat.” She walked past Flynn and I without looking at either one of us as she took a seat next to me. “I love the bangs. Should I be worried you have bangs? Or just enjoy them?” Isabella asked.
I had no idea what she was talking about. Why would someone be worried about bangs?
But from the way Harper’s cheeks pinked, maybe I should be worried about bangs.
“It was time for a hair change. You know me, I’ve had three different hair colors since you first saw me.”
“That is true. They do wonderful things for your face. Don’t you think, Dorian?”
That was it. I was going to have to murder my sister. Nobody would know. Maybe Weston, but he would get over it.
Harper turned, and I swallowed, trying not to growl. Of course my dick took that moment to stand at attention, and I shifted, hoping no one would see.
However, from the way that Flynn chuckled beneath his breath beside me, I was going to hell. I just needed to bury myself into a deep hole, and no one would be able to find me.
“They look fine,” I said, and Harper laughed as Isabella slapped me on the shoulder over Harper. Flynn and Weston threw their heads back and laughed, and I realized that I was an idiot.
Although this wasn’t the first time I had realized that.
“Your praise soothes me. I don’t know if I could truly be able to walk underneath the weight of it,” Harper said dryly.
“You’re always beautiful, Wellesley. No matter what hair you have. I like the bangs.” I shrugged as Harper smiled, and Isabella clapped softly behind her. Weston just shook his head as Flynn continued to laugh behind me.
I ignored them all.
When the mayor finally brought the meeting to attention, I told myself this wouldn’t be too long. I could sit next to Harper, her thigh pressed against mine, and handle this. We had sat together countless times.
