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"Are you trying to destroy my car?" I ask. "Because I happen to know several excellent solicitors who would happily sue you on my behalf."
"Not scared, asswipe. I know lawyers too." He shuts the driver's door, then rolls the window down to give me a self-satisfied smile. "The guy I'm working for now is the best attorney in the good ol' US of A. We're tight. That means we're close friends."
"Yes, I know what 'tight' means."
I get in on the passenger side, which feels odd since I always drive this car. I've never been the one sitting in the seat watching. Derek eases his foot off the brake pedal and steers the car around the circular drive at a speed so slow that I know he's having me on.
"Do all Americans drive like decrepit old women?" I ask. "The American blokes I know wouldn't be caught dead driving a sports car at a snail's pace. I suppose you're afraid of what British engineering can do."
"Oh, you're asking for it now."
He floors the accelerator, and the car rockets forward. I'm pinned to my seat briefly, but that does not frighten me. Whether Derek hoped to scare me, I have no idea. He whirls round and round the circular drive until he finally stops—by slamming on the brakes. Gravel sprays up, cracking on the exterior.
"Damn," he says. "This is a great ride you've got."
"What's left of it. You've probably burnt out the brakes and left pockmarks all over it."
"Nah." He throws the door open and climbs out, stretching and groaning. "If this car can't handle pea gravel, it's not much of a vehicle."
I get out and warily inspect the car, walking all the way round it. "Well, at least you didn't damage anything."
For the rest of the afternoon, we all decide to spend time having fun together. Mum suggests we sit outside at the table on the outdoor patio, which lies right next to the solarium windows. That doesn't surprise me since Mum loves to be outside, but her next suggestion shocks me.
"Let's play games," she announces. "We have cards as well as board games."
My jaw must've dropped because I feel a draft tickling my tongue. "Are you serious? We haven't done that since before…"
"Your father passed away. Yes, I know that." She hooks her arm around Derek's as we traverse the solarium, heading for the outdoor patio. "But it's been almost a decade since your father's passing, and I shouldn't have let us go so long without reigniting our passion for games."
"We used to have a lot of fun, didn't we?"
"Indeed we did. And now we shall again."
Avery and I collect the games from the wooden chest in the solarium and bring the lot outside where Mum and Derek are already laughing. I've come to terms with the fact Lady Sommerleigh has a motherly crush on my girlfriend's brother. I can understand it. He is charming in his American way, and he treats Mum with respect. He also loves his sister and would do anything to protect her. That's another quality I admire.
I would do anything for Avery too, because I love her.
The realization hits me so hard that I stumble, but I catch myself before I tumble to the ground. Avery gives me a strange look and asks if I'm all right. I tell her yes, which is sort of a lie. I'm not all right. I feel bloody fantastic, and though I want to share my epiphany with her, I need to wait until we're alone and preferably naked.
For the next three hours, we play games. Kendall brings us refreshments and snacks on a regular basis, as any dedicated butler would. He's also an honorary member of the family, like all our employees are. Kendall also inquires whether the ladies would like a blanket, but they say no. It is a warm and sunny day, after all. Kendall sets up a large umbrella that fits into a slot at the center of the patio table, providing shade for the four of us.
That man deserves a raise. An obscenely large one.
By the time Kendall reminds us dinner will be served in half an hour, Derek has beaten me at Scrabble twice. Well, he beat all of us, not only me. Avery's brother also trounces me at three other board games, as well as poker. It does not wound my ego to lose to an American. I'm not that sensitive. But after dinner, I pretend to feel grievously wounded.
"Want me to make you feel better?" she asks while we climb the stairs to the second floor on our way to my bedroom. "I mean, Derek did beat the pants off you. Let me soothe your bruises with my mouth, my tongue, my fingers, and any other part of my body you want."
"Oh yes, I absolutely need that sort of consolation. Your brother has destroyed my sense of self-worth."
She pokes me with her elbow. "I know you're teasing me. You like Derek, and he likes you."
"That's true. Does this mean I don't get that consoling session?"
"Of course you do."
When we walk into my bedroom, Avery halts abruptly. Her face goes blank. Only her eyes move as she takes in the expansive space with its posh furniture and posh decor.
"Holy cow," she says at last. "This is bigger than my condo back in New York."
