“I mean why? Since when do you want to get married? No offence.” Amari turns her head to me and offers an apology.
“No offence taken. I so get your confusion.” I look from her to Ren, trying desperately to keep my smile at bay.
“Since now,” he says, watching me with suspicious eyes then turning to face the woman. “You know most people say congratulations.”
“Pfft. And most people don’t know you like I do.” She looks at me, like she genuinely is trying hard not to hurt my feelings. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re lovely. Clearly, you’re gorgeous.”
That makes my smile completely break out, and I curtsy. “Thank you.”
Ren snorts beside me, and I chuckle, quickly disguising it with a drink of his smooth, tasty alcohol. But it doesn’t stop Amari, who is still pressing for more answers, since Ren’s aren’t cutting it.
“I just don’t get it. God knows my brother is a sucker for a brunette with a banging body. But something doesn’t add up.” The way she looks at Ren, a mixture of anger and hurt, it makes sense now.
Brother?
“You’re Ren’s sister,” I ask, staring at her in awe. “Did you know he would kill for you. You’re very lucky.”
The words come from my mouth before I have a chance to realise how crazy that sounds.
I sense Ren’s eyes on me, feel them burning into my skin from his hot gaze. The only way to resist the urge to look at him is to concentrate on Amari’s weirded out face.
“Um, thanks?” she says, not knowing how to take it.
But it was a compliment, in my own messed up mind. “You’re welcome.”
I succumb and turn toward Ren. When our eyes meet, the air leaves my body. His fiery eyes stare down at me, but they’re not filled with anger, but of something else, darker, sexier and more dangerous. There’s only one thing to do in this situation. I down the rest of my liquid courage and steer this ship back on course.
“She was saying your story sounds like bullshit,” I say, looking him dead in the eye, nodding for him to continue.
Amari points to me and nods. “Yeah, what she said.”
After a moment, he takes a long, laboured breath and turns back to Amari. “You know how it is.”
My confidence comes back and my smile returns. I lean on the counter watching him struggle. How was that even an answer? And by the frown on Amari’s face, she doesn’t seem impressed, either.
“It’s what dad wants.” He tries again, but it still sounds like horseshit to me.
Amari scoffs, so it must sound the same to her.
“It is! Dad's getting older and… you know… it’s time.”
“You swore you would never get married.” She directs that at him, then turns to me. “Sorry, no offence.”
I wave her off, giving her the all clear to go ahead. But that just makes her frown deepen, looking confused with my blaze’ attitude.
He sighs, his patience waning. “We were ten.”
“Yes.” She shakes off her confusion and turns her attention back on Ren. “The first time. Then you swore the same thing when you were sixteen, twenty, twenty one—”
“Well, things change.” His voice drips with authority this time, looking to end the discussion.
Amari opens her mouth to say something but decides against it. She’s quick to see his nerves are thin. And since plan A involves making his life harder until he sets me free. I ignore Amari’s very wise decision and keep poking the bear.
“Anyway.” I turn to Amari, leaning over the counter. “Since it seems the cats got Ren’s tongue. I can fill you in on how we met.”
“Thankyou!” She throws her hands in the air and gives me her full attention.
“So, I was at this great club just finishing work. It was a brilliant party that I worked all week to plan. I was super tired, so I thought I would head home early.”