“A choice between allowing Easton to continue to disrespect you and ransom Mallory’s feelings, or to stand up to him.”
“It never occurred to you not to antagonize him?”
“There is no peacemaking with a bully.”
“That’s not true. If you humor him, manage him, it’s better for everyone.”
He took a step toward her, palms up as though in surrender. “It’s not. I promise you it’s not. Managing him is never going to end. It’s an unwinnable war. He will change the rules once they don’t work in his favor. He will always place himself first, and he’ll use you all to make himself feel bigger, smarter, and stronger every time. It’s what all bullies like Easton do. It’s how Sonny Ozols became prime minister.”
She had to turn away, because she knew that. Easton was a petty despot, always had been, and the best she’d ever achieved was a temporary cease-fire. “Hall cupboard.”
He took that as permission to help and moved past her, retrieving the pan and brush and sweeping up the glass from the broken bulb.
She leaned in the doorway and watched him on his haunches, those very broad shoulders balanced on a nicely sculpted butt. She wanted to run her hands over the breadth of his back, but she was furious with him, and that fury was all confused with something that felt like gratitude. “That’s twice you’ve cleaned after me. No one ever challenged Dad. He was boss of the walk. He left a void and Easton filled it. But it upsets Mallory when we fight.”
She lurched for the box of chocolates as Halsey came back into the kitchen and emptied the glass shards into the trash, because it was part of the recurring theme between them. She got upset and things got broken, he cleaned up, then she ate enough chocolate to put herself into a coma.
She picked out a hazelnut truffle roll and offered him the box, which he declined with a headshake. He’d brought Li-Lac chocolates. He couldn’t have known they were her favorite. Part of her thought it was awesome he’d been willing to take Easton on, like he’d taken her mugger on. She had to stop listening to that irresponsible part because, like her father, Halsey was going to leave a lasting mess.
“I did the wrong thing for the right reason.” Halsey stood in the middle of the kitchen, rock-like and disappointed with himself. “I chose to fight because I wanted to show Easton you and Mallory had a friend who wouldn’t take his crap. I’m sorry I had no right to interfere. I let my personal feelings get in the way of my judgment.”
Everything about Halsey said dependable, from the sheer heft of him to the serious expression he wore. He’d made Mallory laugh, and it was worth forgiving him for that. He’d been engaging and funny and easygoing, but she needed to remember that was all an act.
It was a goddamn shame he was an exceptional con artist, because he had the makings of an incomparable boyfriend.
“You don’t need to apologize. Easton can get under your skin. He’s a master at it. I know I yelled at you and said it was your fault, but it’s not. I need sleep. I shouldn’t be eating these.” She took one more chocolate, put the lid on the box, and pushed it across the counter at him. “I need to make sure Mallory doesn’t get a Pikachu or a ‘love and hate’ or a ‘nevertheless she persisted’ tattoo she’ll regret before the ink has settled. Thank you for the groceries. That was thoughtful.” It was time to show him out. “I don’t think you and I can work together.”
He let a frustrated breath go, one hand in a fist at his side.
“Would you really have gone at it with Easton?”
He shook his head. “That was a bluff. I was 80 percent sure Easton didn’t want an undignified scuffle in a side alley.”
She should show him out. Bad influence and all. “What about that rainbow my little pony unicorn tattoo?”
“I don’t have a rainbow my little pony unicorn tattoo, but Mallory did have that piercing.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how you knew that.”
“Sisters,” he said with a shrugged shoulder. “I know I blew it here. But I don’t think we’re done.”
“I’m sorry to break your heart, but it is what it is.” Easiest break up ever. Except for the part where she wasn’t furious with him, and she wasn’t showing him out.
“I can do better. If I’m not worried about you being terrorized.”
Was he saying he’d gotten aggressive not because Easton pushed him, and his fragile male ego had to push back, but because he had genuine feelings for her? “Halsey Sherwood, do you think I’m cute? Is that why you went all white knight?”
Halsey Sherwood, rock, Paul Newman clone with a shy smile, wearer of exquisite suits, and sexy glasses, wielder of dustpans, protector against muggers, and competent grocery buyer, blushed.
And he knew he had. He put his hand to his face and half turned away. Then he shifted, and their gazes caught. “I think you’re beautiful.” Ohh. “You’re also strong, smart, driven, capable, and wrong about us not being able to work together. We’d make a good team.”
For a master manipulator, he did have an uncanny ability to step on himself. Just when she was inclined to forgiveness, he had to go correcting her. Mid-swoon, with a thoroughly gooey center, she pulled herself together.
She tried to get him to take the groceries and the chocolates, but he refused. At the door, when he offered his hand to shake, she took it, expecting a business-like pump, but he simply held it, eyes locked on hers, his brows veed and his head angled down. He’d tensed when she traced an angel wing on his shoulder blade. He looked like a man in need of a good hug, and she rashly wanted to give it to him.
She put her other hand to his chest—fingers spread in the radiating warmth of him, nose full of his bracing scent—went to her toes, and kissed his cheek.
He made a rough sound of surprise and stepped back, knocking into the opposite wall. He still had her hand, which he dropped with a stuttered, “Sorry,” when he realized their arms were stretched out between them.