“Really? I always thought he hated me the most.”
“He hates everyone. It’s not personal. Sam on the other hand… His dislikeispersonal.”
“And what did I do to offend him?” I’d first met Sam at a party Orlando threw in my penthouse nearly four years ago. He’d come as Piper’s date, and the two of them had left early. Since then, I’d only seen him at family things with the Amatos.
She ticked them off on her fingers. “You married me. You’re friends with Freddie, whom he’s never really forgiven for having a crush on Piper. I’m living with you. I’m sure I could come up with more if you give me a minute to think about it.”
“Wonderful. And how do I win him over?”
“You let Nate and the wives wear him down. Or youcould get Micah’s blessing, but I have no idea when he’s going to visit again.”
“Is Micah the brother who comes for holidays or the one I haven’t met?”
“The one who comes for holidays. We should probably get back to the party before anyone else comes looking for us.” I had a feeling she was deliberately avoiding continuing the conversation about her brothers, but if she didn’t want to talk, I wasn’t going to push.
“Okay.”
We spent the rest of the night chatting, making s’mores, and trying not to trip on any of the kids who always seemed to be under our feet. Danielle smiled and laughed a lot, and her brothers didn’t actively threaten me again, so I figured that was a win.
I slid an arm around Danielle’s shoulders, and she leaned back against my chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like she belonged there and always would.
TWENTY-FOUR
Danielle
I staredat my reflection in the mirror of what used to be my bedroom and now acted as my sewing/dressing room.
I was second-guessing the dress I’d picked for the luncheon today. It was one of my favorites, made of a pale green silk with spaghetti straps and a high slit up the left leg. I loved the way it looked on me, but I wasn’t sure if it was too risqué for a lunch with its steep vee that made even my practically nonexistent cleavage very noticeable.
For the most part, I’d gotten used to going to events and had become more comfortable with the spotlight. Ever since the fiasco with Jacqueline three weeks ago, I’d stopped worrying about what the world thought of me or if they believed I belonged. Hayden wanted me at his side, and I wasn’t going to let him face any of it alone.
But none of that newfound confidence was keeping me from second-guessing this dress.
Oh well, it was too late to change it now. I didn’t have another dress, and apparently wearing the same dress to multiple events was a big no-no.
Turning away from my mirror, I slid on a couple of bracelets and the watch Sam had given me my first Christmas as part of the secret order.
Hayden was waiting outside the door when I came out, looking handsome as ever in a tailored suit that fit him perfectly.
His eyes swept over me from head to toe and back up again, lingering on my chest for a few beats too long.
“Fuck me,” he groaned. “Are you trying to torture me?”
“That wasn’t really the goal. Do you not like it?”
“I like it way too much.” He took my hand in his and started to lift it toward his lips but paused with a frown, my hand suspended halfway between us.
“What’s wrong?”
“Where did you get this watch?”
I lifted my brows. “It was a gift from Sam.”
“So Sam’s allowed to buy you expensive presents, but I’m not?”
“Are you jealous that I’m wearing a gift from my brother?”
“Every time I try to buy you anything, you give me hell, but you don’t have a problem when the gifts come from someone else?”
