Twist of Fate by Louise, Tia (free ebook reader for ipad .txt) 📗

my brother into a hug and we slap each other’s backs. A twinge of nostalgia clenches my chest. For so long it was the two of us hanging together as a team, the Dunne brothers with our little gran on the front row in the stadium yelling her head off anytime we made an outstanding play.

I’m surprised she has any voice left.

“Call me when you get there.” J.R. walks out with us to where his black truck is waiting. “I’ve got to head down to the gym.”

“I’ll send you a text, Grandpaw.”

He shakes his head, exhaling some grumpy noise, and I laugh at his curmudgeonly ways. My older brother has not made the leap to modern technology.

“Why don’t you walk over to Ms. Regina’s BnB with me. I think they’re making lunch.” Catching my grandmother’s arm, I give her a gentle tug.

“I don’t want to be a burden.” She shakes her head, frowning. “Who all’s going to be there?”

“I think it’s just Sly and me and Ms. Regina. And Daisy, of course.” Just saying her name has me ready to get walking.

“Joselyn’s in town? I haven’t seen her in weeks.”

“So, come on. If you feel awkward, don’t eat anything. I’ll take you to Taco Bell.”

“That is not food. Bradley Scout, when you get to Los Angeles, you had better not eat that trash.”

I just grin taking her arm and escorting her to the sidewalk. Nothing like my grandmother’s constant fussing. She’s like a little hen. I’m going to miss her.

“You didn’t give me a chance to put on my walking shoes.” Gran’s still going two blocks later. “I’m going to have blisters all over my feet…”

“Hop on my back.”

She only slaps my arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. Do I look like a twelve-year-old child to you?”

“Well, hey, stranger!” Sly comes jogging up, dressed in oversized overalls, her auburn hair in a long ponytail.

She stops and gives me a kiss on the cheek before hugging my grandmother.

My grandmother’s entire demeanor changes on a dime. “Joselyn Winthrop, you just get prettier and prettier. Look at this hair! Scout, why didn’t you ever ask Joselyn out?”

“I asked her out repeatedly, Gran. She always shot me down.”

Sly narrows her navy eyes at me. “Liar.” Sliding her hand in the crook of my and my grandmother’s arms, she walks between us. “I couldn’t date Scout, Gran. That would be like… incest.”

“Nonsense, why I declare…” My grandmother goes off on another speech, but we’re at the house.

My attention is completely diverted to the girl standing on the front porch with Sly’s mom. Daisy’s wearing a short dress that shows off her sexy legs. Her hair is around her cheeks in those cute curls, and when our eyes meet, something has changed. It’s subtle, but instead of the sassy defiance, she’s hesitant. I would say afraid if I didn’t know her better.

She’s not afraid of anything except spiders, and I’ve seen her boldness up close and personal.

Ms. Regina waves to us from the porch. “Come on up. You are not going to believe what Daisy has done with the place.”

“I can’t wait!” Sly leaves us to jog up the steps. “She’s kept me away every time.”

Gran holds my arm, and I take my time with her. When we reach the top, I’m face to face with Daisy. She blinks fast, but she doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, she holds out a hand and motions the other women into the house.

“Just make your way around. Ask me whatever you want to know.” Daisy stays at the door as they pass through the entrance exclaiming and pointing out items to each other.

I stop beside her at the door. “Hey, Daisy.” My voice is low, and her shoulder rises slightly, almost like I touched her.

I want to touch her.

“How’s it going?” She blinks quickly and smiles, meeting my eyes briefly. “Ready to take off?”

“I think so.” I was pretty certain up until a week ago.

Her lips press together, and she nods. “Come on in and check the place out.”

“I’d like to see the master suite.”

Pink floods her cheeks. “It looks really good. I’ll be sure you get credit for helping hang the wallpaper and paint.”

“I don’t care about that.” Reaching out, I trace the back of my finger down the side of her arm. “I just wanted to see you one more time.”

“Here I am.” Her voice is quiet, and she holds out both arms, doing a little curtsey.

“Walk upstairs with me?”

Her arms lower, and she looks up the stairs. “Sure.”

I follow, watching her calves flex as she takes the steps, doing my best not to think about her naked little ass running all over the beach, bouncing on my pelvis as I fuck her… Last thing I need is a boner in front of my gran.

Clearing my throat, I banish those thoughts. “This should look great on your résumé.”

“Spencer already said Miles Klaut wants to hire me if I’m still interested.”

Spencer the douche. We’re on the landing, and I’m fighting these possessive thoughts. They’re inappropriate. I’m leaving in a few hours. She’s starting her life. It’s what should happen.

The door is open, and I stand behind her to peer into the elegant bedroom. Heat from her body radiates towards mine, and I want to slide my hands around her waist, lower my face and kiss her neck.

“I added these.” She steps forward, into the room and out of my orbit, motioning to ivory lace curtains. “Of course, you helped with the paper and the paint.”

A dark-wood king-sized bed is against one wall, and a matching dresser and armoire are arranged around the space.

“Call HGTV.”

She exhales a laugh, and I’m glad to see her smiling instead of looking uncomfortable all the time. “The bathroom turned out gorgeous. Come see it.”

I follow her, wanting her close to me again. I want to inhale her scent of caramel and magnolia. I want to curl my fingers in her hair and feel her warmth against my body.

It’s only going to make things harder, but