“Motherfucker,” Eli muttered, and Crimson ignored him to open it up.
“Please tell me that’s spinach artichoke dip.” Crimson’s voice was one of longing as she moved out of the way and Bliss walked in carrying a bag of chips followed by my brother carrying a bowl I assumed was the dip Crimson was hoping for.
“Of course it is,” Bliss said, grinning at her. “I couldn’t show up without bringing your favorite—” She stopped mid-sentence as her gaze met mine. It went from confused to surprised.
“You invited that brat?” My brother’s tone was teasing, so I shot him the annoyed snarl I always did when he called me a brat.
“I feel better about being in the dark now,” Crimson said with a small laugh. It seemed Crimson had set up this surprise house warming party. My brother had been speaking to her when he’d mentioned me being invited. Crimson was realizing Nate had no idea about me and Eli either.
“The dark?” Nate asked, setting the bowl down on the bar before turning toward the rest of the room.
Eli’s hand rested on my lower back at that moment and the warmth of his body felt comforting as he stepped up to my left side. Close enough that it made things very clear.
Nate’s eyebrows shot up then as he took in the obvious nonverbal statement. “Really?” he asked, sounding amazed. “With her smartass mouth and attitude? You’ve seen that side of her, right?”
“I am not above kicking your ass in front of all these nice people,” I warned Nate. Who then laughed and shook his head.
“Not even on a good day, little sister. Damn, I thought after the movie premier whatever was going on with the two of you was done.” I could see in his eyes as they locked with mine that he was good with this. Amused but pleased. With Eli and Bliss’s history, I hadn’t been sure how he would feel. I hadn’t cared, to be honest, but it was nice to see he was cool with it. Happy even.
I swung my gaze to Bliss then realizing she may not be as pleased. I knew she loved my brother fiercely and I wasn’t worried about her feeling as if she had some claim on Eli. But she was my sister-in-law. Eli was her best friend. Neither of us had told her and she was walking into it blindsided. Like everyone else.
She went from studying Eli then her thoughtful gaze shifted to me. Slowly a smile began to tug at the corners of her mouth. “I wondered after the movie premier . . . and leaving Eli there but then neither of you said anything,” she said as if it was all falling into place. “Good.” Was all she said then and gave me a warm smile that matched the expression in her eyes. “I won’t hold it against y’all for not telling me since not even your siblings knew,” she added with a shrug then walked over to hand Nate the chips she was carrying.
“You’re not going to warn him about her?” my brother asked Bliss.
“Hell, Finlay, she can’t be worse than you and we all had to let you have our sweet innocent Bliss,” Micah said as he walked over to take the cover from the dip. “Eli’s all brooding and sexy now. Sure she’s gorgeous, possibly out of his league but they’re dating. Let’s eat before anymore damn family shows up and we got to go through this all over again.”
The silent Jude finally stood up from the place on the sofa he’d been sitting quietly. “Thank God, I’m starving to death while this fucking live action soap opera unravels.”
I turned my head to look up at Eli. He wasn’t scowling as bad, but he still didn’t appear thrilled about this. “They did bring food,” I whispered.
He met my gaze then. “Crimson should have asked me first,” he said.
“Saved us from having to tell them,” I added another pro to the situation.
“True.” He narrowed his eyes slightly as if trying to read my mind. “Are you good with that?”
“Yes. Are you?” I countered. Because he wasn’t looking pleased about anything.
He sighed then a small tug lifted the right side of his mouth. “Yeah. I just wanted you to myself tonight.”
That made me tingly and giddy he wanted me to himself. That meant he had been thinking about me too. Missing me.
“They aren’t staying the night,” I pointed out, although I understood what he was saying.
“Could the two of you stop eye-fucking each other so we can eat in peace,” Micah called out from the end of the table he was now sitting at with a plate of food.
Eli’s expression went dark again as he swung his gaze toward Micah, and I grabbed his arm to squeeze it. “Let’s eat,” I said, trying not to laugh.