Page 25 of Miss Understanding

“Mm. I’d say he got the better end of the deal.”

I was tempted to fist-bump her.

“Ms. Tate. Can you get those documents scanned for me?”

In other words, I was dismissed. “Sure. Um, nice to meet you, Allison.” Because I was sure she wouldn’t be here once I returned.

Chapter Fourteen

Liam

What the hell was my sister doing here? Never mind, scratch the question. I knew exactly what she was doing here. She was nosey as hell.

“Allison, as you can see, we’re working.”

Her roaming gaze landed on Kendall’s blanket and glass of wine. Of course she did a fake cough while muttering, “Sure, she’s just your assistant.”

“Maybe she’s an alcoholic who has poor circulation for all I know.”

“I heard that,” came Kendall’s voice from up the stairs. Evidently sound carried in this house.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and watched my assistant come back down, all smiles for my sister. “Would you care for a glass of wine, Allison?”

“No, she can’t stay,” came my reply at the same time as my sister’s: “I’d love one. Thank you.”

“I see why you drink now, Kendall. Tell me. How is my little brother to work for?”

I witnessed my assistant’s blush. “Jesus, Allison. You’re putting her on the spot.”

“Yeah, I mean it’s not like I could tell you if your brother was a dick,” came Kendall’s retort.

Now it was my turn to go red in the face. I had no doubt there was a healthy measure of truth in her words.

My sister found it hilarious. “True. But seriously, is he a dick?”

I held my breath, bracing for her response. I knew for a fact she had every reason to say yes.

But she surprised me. “Your brother is professional and hard working. I respect his work ethic. Also, he’s not big on sharing his personal life, which is why I can guess he’s so unbelievably uncomfortable right now.”

Allison laughed. “I can only imagine he is. But I’m nosey, so I couldn’t not take the opportunity to meet you.”

She took the glass of wine Kendall offered. Taking a sip, she commented, “Mm. Good wine. Plus, I don’t get out of the house much or see my brother very often.”

Guilt welled up. It had been a year since I’d seen her or her family.

“Yeah. You work at home?” Kendall asked.

“You could say that. I have two girls. One four, the other just turned two. What did you cook for dinner?”

“Oh, tonight was Parmesan-crusted pork chops and wilted spinach. I have leftovers if you’re hungry?”

“Yeah? Sure. I had a couple of my daughter’s chicken nuggets and cold spaghetti noodles, so grown-up food sounds divine.”

It had been divine. Once again, she’d knocked it out of the park. I tried to ignore them both as they got along like long-lost friends at the kitchen table. I think my sister complimented Kendall on the food at least a dozen times. I’m not sure I’d remembered to even do so once.

I was about ready to call it a night, when Allison posed a question I hadn’t been expecting.

“How about you come over tomorrow night, Kendall? We’re having a Sunday night family dinner at my place with my mom. She’d love to meet you.”