AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Michael,” I stop on the landing, lowering my voice now that we’re out of eyesight of everyone downstairs. “You’re making things awkward by worrying about what my mother thinks.” His eyes flash with something incredulous before it’s quickly replaced. “You and I both know we’re just friends. Isn’t that enough?”
He lets out a deep sigh, shrugging.
“Of course. But what if there’s something there we’re not seeing that she is?”
“There’s not, though.”
I roll my eyes, resuming my trek toward Missy’s room. He follows along behind me.
“You don’t think so?”
“Michael, I’mreallynot in the mood to have this conversation.”
He cocks his head. “When, then?”
I ignore him, stopping in front of Missy’s door, agitation winding through me.
“Missy put the damn dress on and let’s go.”
Michael stares at me like I’ve lost my mind, but right now, my head is nearly splitting in half.
No answer.
“Missy!” I yell, banging my fist so hard on the wooden door, my hand tingles.
Still no answer.
So, like a thin, invisible string, my temper snaps.
“You’re twenty-one years old. Stop acting like a whiny brat and let’s go!”
“Hannah,” Michael cautions, holding a hand out to stop me. Coincidentally, his palm brushes my stomach and I shrink back. His eyes darken before he turns away.
“Missy, it’s Michael. Can you please come tonight?”
“Doing my sister’s bidding won’t make her love you, Michael.”
I wince at her words muffled through the door.
Damn, Missy. You just had to gothere.
Michael seems to take it in stride, though, chuckling and shaking his head.
“You Gaines girls should become lawyers,” he says to me. “Come on, Missy. It’s just for a night and then things will die down for a while.”
“No, they won’t. You forgot New Year's.”
He looks back at me across the hall for help and I shrug.
“You did.”
He growls under his breath and shakes his head.
“Missy—”
“Just let me handle it,” I say softly. He looks down to where my hand rests on his arm as if I am personally responsible for the death of his grandmother.
“That’s the first time you’ve touched me in months,” he says quietly, jaw tightening.
