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“The store next to the gallery closed and instead of leasing it to someone else, Clara is going to run with my idea to join it with the gallery so we can have classes and parties, along with some wine drinking. I want to call it Paint, Party & Sip.” She clasped her hands together, her excitement obvious. “It’s mostly for adults but I can accommodate older teens, too.”
“That sounds fun,” Samantha said. “I’d love to give it a try.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know when we’re open.” Fallon beamed at the prospect, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
Remy’s phone rang and he answered, talking for a few seconds before hanging up. “Well, Jared and Aiden can’t get away from the office because Dad went home early.”
Dex frowned. “Is he not feeling well?” Beside her, he stiffened and Samantha noticed Fallon reacted similarly.
“Damned if I know. He’s stubborn. Refuses to slow down like the doctors ordered him to do. I think Lizzie is frustrated and concerned.”
Fallon sighed. “I already tried to talk to him. Maybe if one of you did too?”
“I’ve got it,” Dex said. “I’ll take a ride over there in the next day or so.”
Samantha placed a hand on his shoulder. Though she didn’t know what was going on, he was obviously worried and as much as he’d been a support for her, she wanted to do the same in return.
“Let me know how you make out,” Remy said. “Maybe if Raven and I go after you, he’ll get the message.”
The mood lightened up after the talk about their father and another hour passed by the time everyone stood to leave.
After saying goodbye to his family, Dex turned to face her. “How are you getting home?”
“Uber,” she said, opening her bag to search for her phone.
“I’ve got you. My car is parked in the lot.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking a rideshare,” she said, not wanting him to have to go out of his way.
“I mind.” He tapped her nose. “Come on. This way I can spend a little more time with you.”
Warmth filled her, both at his offer and reason.
Once they were settled inside the vehicle and on their way, she turned toward him. “I really like your family.”
“They’re nosey,” he said but his voice held a hint of affection.
She laughed. “Because they love you. I’m sure that’s why they wanted to check me out.”
“I love them too. Even when I want to kill them,” he muttered. “But I’m glad you didn’t mind the ambush.”
“Of course not. My family would do the same thing.”
He didn’t reply and she had a weird feeling about his silence. “Dex? Is something wrong?”
He kept one hand on the wheel, eyes on the road, but he grabbed her hand with his free one. “I’ve been debating when to explain this to you. Since we’re talking about protective family members, this is probably as good a time as any.”
She kicked off her heel and curled the leg beneath her, turning to face him. “What did Ian do?” she asked, because it didn’t take a perceptive genius to figure out this had something to do with her overprotective brother.
“Remember you mentioned that I pulled away from kissing you twice?”
She nodded. “I do,” she said, her stomach suddenly in knots.
“That New Year’s Eve night with you was life-altering. You were smart and sexy. That whole evening was special. But after the kiss, I turned my head and saw Ian glaring at me. At the time, I was a rookie and he held my career in his hands.” She heard the regret in his voice.
“I understand why you backed off, but I don’t get why my brother thought it was okay to mess with my life.” She’d been so into Dex, so swept off her feet by the man. His turning cold on her had hurt badly.
He pulled in front of her building, put the vehicle in park, and turned to meet her gaze. “The same reason Fallon came today. He loves you and was protective. You were young. I was football focused.”
