Christ. I’m sure I opened my mouth and just gaped like a goldfish because I had nothing to offer after that question. “I’m not.”

“You just did it again!” she scolded. “If you’re going to interrogate me about the photo shoot, and my mother, then maybe you shouldn’t come over. I’m just not up for that tonight, Ethan.”

Can you say wicked hormones changing my girl into Medusa and scaring the hell out of me?

“Not up for talking to me or not up for me at all? Because I do want to talk to you.” I tried to keep my tone level but wasn’t too confident I was succeeding. I was pretty f**king sure I couldn’t do any better at keeping my cool though. I did not like this f**ked up dialogue at all. It sucked.

Silence.

“Hello, Brynne? Am I coming over right now or not?”

“I don’t know.”

I counted to ten. “‘I don’t know,’ is your answer to me?” What in the holy hell happened to our nice romantic lunch at Gladstone’s? I want my sweet girl back!

“You sighed at me again.”

“Have me arrested. Look, I’m driving with a car full of Indian take-out and don’t know where I’m going. Can you help me out, baby?”

I absolutely f**king refused to get in a row over this. She was having a shit day and hormonal—that I could deal with. It sucked if she wouldn’t be in my arms tonight, but at least we weren’t breaking up. Medusa might be messing with my night, but she would be out of the picture in a few days. I prayed.

“Okay…come get me then,” she said firmly.

I couldn’t believe my ears. “Come and get you? I thought you had to stay at your place tonight. You said earlier—”

She cut me right off, her tongue like a sharp edged blade. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to stay here. I’ll pack a bag and be ready for you in five minutes. Call me when you’re at the curb and I’ll be down.”

“All right, chief,” I said in utter bewilderment, waiting till she hung up before I sighed good and loud. I shook my head too. And even blew out a whistle. Then I drove over to get my snaked-haired, sharp-tongued, unpredictable, and very perplexing girlfriend, like the besotted sap that I very much was.

Women…frightening creatures.

11

“That’s going to be Aunt Marie! Ethan, can you let her in? I’m up to my elbows here.” Brynne gestured to her frantic last-minute prep for dinner from the kitchen.

“I’ve got it.” I gave her an air kiss and said, “Show time, yeah?”

She nodded back, looking beautiful as always in her long black skirt and purple top. The color was lovely on her and since I now knew it was her favourite, I had to believe in my luck that first time when I sent her the purple flowers.

All in, baby.

I opened the door to a lovely woman of which I had no expectations other than this was Brynne’s great aunt. Sister to her grandmother on her mum’s side. But the person smiling at my doorstep was about as far from a grandmotherly female as you could get. With her unlined skin and dark red hair she looked young and stylish and rather…hot for a woman who could not be above fifty-five.

“You must be Ethan that I’m hearing so much about,” she said in a native tongue.

“And you must be Brynne’s Aunt Marie?” I hesitated in case I was wrong, but really, the women in her family were stunning. I wondered again what kind of beauty Brynne’s mum must be.

She laughed charmingly. “You sound a little unsure there.”

I ushered her in and closed the door. “Not at all. I was expecting her great aunt you see, not her older sister. She’s got her hands full in the kitchen and sent me to greet you.” I held out my hand. “Ethan Blackstone. It is my very great pleasure, Aunt Marie. I hear Brynne sing your praises all the time and have looked forward to meeting you.”

“Oh please call me Marie,” she said, taking my hand, “quite the charmer you are, Ethan. Her sister, hmmmm?”

I laughed and shrugged. “Too flattering? I don’t think so, and welcome, Marie. I appreciate you taking the time to join us tonight.”

“Thank you for the invitation to your lovely home. I don’t get to see my niece often enough so this is bonus. And your comment was lovely even if it was far too flattering. You’ve got my vote, Ethan.” She winked at me and I think I fell in love with her right then and there.

Brynne came out of the kitchen and embraced her aunt. I got a very happy grin from Brynne over Marie’s shoulder. It was clear that whatever problems she had with her mum, she didn’t have them with Marie and that made me very glad. Everybody needs someone to give them unconditional love. They went off to the kitchen and I went to get drinks sorted before the bell rang again. I smirked to myself at what Dad would think of Marie when he got a look at her. I knew she was a widow with no children but with her beauty, there must be a long queue of men clamoring for her time. I couldn’t wait to get the story from Brynne.

Clarkson and Gabrielle arrived next and since they were already in good with Marie all I had to do was make drinks and pass them around. Clarkson and I had an easy truce of sorts, along the same lines as my relationship with Gabrielle. We all cared about Brynne and wanted her to be happy. I didn’t thrill about him taking her pictures but then we were only able to be friendly because he was g*y. Seriously, I know it’s my issue, but if he was straight and taking nude pictures of Brynne? He wouldn’t be in my home right now.

Once Neil and Elaina showed up, I felt a little more at ease in my own house. Clarkson went in to help Brynne and Marie in the kitchen while Gabrielle and Elaina seemed to hit it off by talking books—something trending about a very young billionaire and his obsession with an even younger woman…and sex. Lots of erotic sex scenes in the book, like apparently on every page.

Neil and I looked sympathetically at each other and had absolutely nothing to add to the conversation. I mean, who reads this crap? Who has time? Why even read about sex in a book when you can have it instead? I don’t get that. And billionaires in their twenties? I mentally shook my head and pretended to care. I’m such a bastard.

I looked at my watch and just like a summons, the bell rang. My dad, finally. I leapt out of my seat to get the door. Poor Neil looked like he wished he could come with me.

“Dad. I was getting worried. Come in and meet my girl, why don’t you.”

“Son.” He clapped me on the back in our standard greeting and grinned. “You look happier than the last time I laid eyes on you. Hannah tells me you’re going up to Somerset to visit. Taking Brynne along.”