He’d thought briefly about not coming but he’d skipped so many Sunday dinners lately that he knew his mother would start getting worried. Momma Julia on a tear was no small matter. The last time she’d been worried about him she’d shown up at his condo early on a Saturday morning and banged on the door until he let her in.

The Brazilian model he’d been entertaining at the time hadn’t been amused when he’d forced her to stay hidden in the bedroom for an hour while he convinced his mother he was fine. He could still hear the blistering string of Portuguese she’d let fly with the same fury as the vase she’d thrown at his head.

“I don’t know why you don’t like her,” Elliott continued.

Nick sighed. It seemed his brother wasn’t going to give up easily. “I never said I didn’t like her. She seems nice enough. I’m just worried about Jackson. He’s got her on this pedestal. He has no idea what women like that are capable of.”

“And you do?” Elliott moved to stand next to him. His eyes were on the dancing couple as well. Jackson was holding Ridley close and whispering in her ear.

“I think they look good together,” Eli commented.

Someone get me a barf bag, Nick thought, irritably.

“There’s no proof she’s done anything wrong and I’m inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt just because of the way she looks at Jackson.” Elliott smiled at him. He was enjoying tormenting him, the little shit.

“I wish I could be as happy about this as you are. But I know a little bit too well how devious beautiful women can be. Especially since her sister—”

“Ah, now we get to the root of the matter. Jackson told me that Raina went with you to the Lupus Foundation dinner a few months ago. He never told me that you were this hung up on her.”

“I’m not hung up. I’m merely aware of what she’s really like,” Nick snarled. “It’s none of your business.”

Elliott shrugged. “Okay, but don’t let that influence the way you respond to her sister. Ridley seems really nice and has never had so much as a parking ticket before all this.”

“I know. I just hope she’s nothing like her sister or he’s setting himself up for a world of hurt. Either way I’ve washed my hands of it. It’s just hard to watch your little brother walk toward a pit that you saw coming a mile away.”

“I know. But all we can do is let him fall. Then catch him if it’s necessary.” Elliott thumped him on the back and then walked away, turning sideways to edge through the crowd.

Nick watched as his mother pulled Ridley into a crushing embrace. His entire family seemed to like her and Jackson hadn’t been this happy in years. He turned to go. He didn’t even bother saying goodbye to anyone. They would have just wanted to drag him into conversations that he couldn’t care less about.

He could admit that he was wrong about Ridley but it didn’t mean he was ready to make nice with her. Looking at her reminded him of all the things he couldn’t have. Comfort. Companionship.

Raina.

He was glad his brother had finally found someone after years of being alone. He deserved some peace after everything he’d been through.

But it didn’t mean Nick wanted to hang around to watch.

*   *   *   *   *

RIDLEY CURLED UP on the couch and listened to Jackson’s footsteps leading to the back door. He’d gone to make sure the house was locked up so they could go upstairs for the night.

So much of their time together had been fraught with tension between lying about who she was and worrying about whoever was behind David’s death. Tonight had been one of the first times that she’d been able to just be a girl out with a guy she was crazy about.

They’d stopped at an ice cream parlor on the way home and had eaten their cones sitting in the brightly lit interior of the shop. It had been the most romantic, completely normal thing they’d done together.

It didn’t mean that she hadn’t noticed how he’d tensed up when his brother mentioned their mother’s matchmaking.

She’d been pleasantly surprised at how friendly and welcoming Jackson’s family was and hoped she’d made a good impression. A permanent relationship with Jackson was unlikely but she still wanted them to like her.

That’s because you’re still hoping for a miracle. This is how you always get hurt.

The sound of the door opening alerted her to Jackson’s presence but she didn’t turn around. She closed her eyes and hoped he would think she was asleep and wouldn’t try to engage her in conversation because, lord help her, she might just bawl her eyes out if he touched her at that moment.

The soft sweep of his lips over her brow had her eyes flying open. He lifted her gently out of the chair and held her close. Ridley couldn’t resist wrapping an arm around his neck and resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. Words seemed inadequate at the moment and she had no desire to break the mood by questioning him. When she opened her eyes, they were in Jackson’s room. He lowered her onto the king-sized bed and then settled himself gently next to her. He seemed at a loss for words as he looked around the immaculate room.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

She looked at him in surprise. “What?”

He got down on the floor so he was kneeling before her. She covered her mouth with her hand. He couldn’t be proposing. They’d only known each other for a little more than a week.