We pulled up to the restaurant, and Michael parked quickly. My head was spinning as we walked toward the entrance. Michael slid his hand into mine gently. I smiled at him, but I was still thinking about our conversation.
How weird was it that both Joshua and Michael had biological brothers they didn’t meet until they were adults?
We stepped inside, and a rush of warm air brushed my face. I shivered slightly at the temperature change. Michael wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. I grinned up at him, all thoughts of Joshua driven from my mind.
“He’s probably already here,” Michael said. He looked around the dining area. “He’s always early.”
I imitated Michael, my eyes scanning the room slowly. I didn’t know what his brother looked like, but I felt like I should help.
As I looked around, my gaze fell on a familiar face in the center of the room. His head had been bent down, examining a menu. When he looked up, my eyes fell on his face, and my stomach clenched painfully. I would recognize that face anywhere.
“What the hell is he doing here?” I asked out loud.
Michael jerked and looked at me. Following my gaze, he saw who I was looking at. I stared up at him as an odd expression crossed over his face.
“Who?” he asked nervously.
“Right there.” I pointed at Joshua boldly, not caring that he could see me.
Michael looked from Joshua to me, an unsettled look crossing his face. “Uh, that’s my brother,” she said quietly.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me?” I asked him, turning to storm out into the parking lot.
Michael followed close behind me, calling my name.
“Julie wait,” he called.
When I pivoted to face him, I saw Josh had followed as well, a dark look of anger on his face.
“This is the girl you’re seeing?”
Michael nodded. I just stood there, my tongue frozen to the roof of my mouth, my heart pounding in my ears.
“Yes,” Michael said.
“Julie?.” Joshua asked, a slight snap to his voice.
“ I stood looking between the two brothers. Joshua’s stance was angry and confrontational, while Michael’s was more relaxed. How could he be so calm?
“So,” Joshua said after a minute. “How did you two meet?”
There was something in his voice that I didn’t like. It was almost like an accusation. I narrowed my eyes at him but didn’t answer.
“We met at that little café in town,” Michael said simply. “Julie had just moved to Ennis.”
“And she found you?” Joshua asked, shooting me a look.
There it was. That was what he was getting at.
“What?” I asked. “You think I tracked down your brother and seduced him?”
“I never said that,” Joshua said firmly.
“You didn’t have to.” I scoffed and looked away. “You couldn’t be more wrong, Joshua.”
“It’s just an odd coincidence,” Joshua said, sarcastically. His eyes, so much like Michael’s, narrowed dangerously as he considered me. “You left Dallas and somehow ended up in the same small town as my brother? How does that happen, Julie? Especially since you helped me find him.”
“It just did,” I snapped. “Contrary to what you might think, my life has never revolved around you. It sure as hell doesn’t now.”