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I place my hands on my hips. “Do I need to kick you out?”
He throws his hands up. “All right, I’m going.” He leans over, smacking a quick kiss on my lips before he walks away. He pauses, still in sight. “You know, you’re hot when you’re forceful.”
I snort. “Sounds like you need to cool off in the pool.”
CHAPTER17
RYDER
I dragmy shirt over my head as I walk out the back door, tossing it onto a chair. I toe off my sneakers and start running. There’s no slowing down as I make a flying leap into the deep end of the pool. I make an epic splash on impact, and Nora and Leo squeal with delight.
“Uncle Ryder, you made a tidal wave,” Nora says.
“I sure did.” I swim toward the shallow end where they’re standing on the lowest step with their arm floaties. My dad is sitting on the edge of the pool with his feet in the water and the baby in his arms.
“What’s going on with you and Calista?” Alice asks.
“Jesus, babe. Do you need to be so direct?” Brandon asks.
She shrugs. “Hey, direct is all I know. So, what’s the deal?”
“She’s my chef.”
Her head tips as she studies me. “That’s not all she is, though, right?”
“No, there’s more going on. But she’s Darius’s sister, so that complicates things.”
“And that’s keeping you from pursuing something more?”
I push my wet hair back from my face. “No, I wouldn’t say that. But it’s making me take things slower than I’d like. I’m crazy about her.”
Her eyes flash wide open. “Holy sh— crap. You love her.”
“Mommy said crap again,” Nora points out.
“Why don’t we do some laps,” Brandon suggests, directing the kids to the other side of the shallow end while Alice and I move to the deeper water.
“What are you going to do?” Alice asks.
“I don’t know. We have the rehearsal dinner and the wedding at the end of this week. I’m not going to talk to Darius about the situation before then. And I can’t spring it on him this weekend. I’ll have to wait until he’s back from his honeymoon to sit down with him.”
“I’m going to give you some advice whether you want it or not,” Alice says.
“What a surprise,” I droll.
She laughs. “Hey, at least I’m predictable.”
“That’s true. Do you need a drumroll?” I ask.
“Naw, it’s not necessary. I’m thinking you need to take some time and analyze your feelings for Calista. Figure out if she’s someone you can see yourself with long term or if she’s a temporary dalliance.”
“I’ve already done that,” I say.
Alice stares at me with an appraising eye. “And?”
“Nothing about my feelings for her is temporary.”
“Oh my freaking God. I can’t believe my little brother’s finally fallen for someone. No more puck bunnies for you. Maybe you should get tested to make sure you’re not giving her more than your heart,” she suggests, laughing.
