“It’s fine. Let her go alone that day. You’ve been putting a lot of stuff off since she moved in. We can’t afford for you to put this off too. These are important shareholders. They help keep our money clean. Keeping them happy is very important,” Vin tells me.
I pout. I really don’t want to go. I would rather stay here with Harper and Vin.
12.Harper
Aweek and a half goes by smoothly. Ivy doesn’t bother us in that time. I like Ava. I ended up helping her with her math homework almost every day while she was here. She’s been texting me after school when she has questions. With another week starting it’s been quiet without her in the house. I actually find myself missing her.
On Wednesday, Nic has to go out of town. Apparently, I can be trusted to go to school alone every once in a while. Though for some reason that makes me feel odd the whole day. I found myself wanting to send irritated looks to Nic while the teacher spent half the class recapping the last class only to look at an empty chair.
The most upsetting thing is that Nic not being here leaves me and Vin to figure out what to do for dinner on our own. I look at him, and he looks at me. “Sooo… Do you know how to cook?” he asks me.
My lips roll in, “I guess so, if we’re counting ramen noodles.”
He frowns like I’ve offended him. Apparently, that doesn’t count. He folds himself into a seat at the island. “Do you like sushi?”
I grin, “Yes! But only if it’s cooked.” I hate the texture of raw fish.
Vin stands up and reaches into his pocket to pull out a set of car keys. “Let’s go get some then.”
I blink at him for a moment, “You’re driving?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?” He holds his hand to his chest like he’s been offended.
“I know you can drive. You just usually get picked up by a driver,” I explain.
He shrugs, “It’s more of a power play than anything else.”
I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I don’t ask for clarification. I really don’t need to know. It’s not like we’re friends or anything. I do find it strange that he’s got the money to afford a driver, but not a cook. Though after having Nic’s magical cooking, I wouldn’t want to hire a chef either.
“Come on. Let’s go eat.” He reaches over and clasps my hand with his.
I freeze for a moment, but he pulls me behind him. I hadn’t expected Vin to hold my hand like Nic does. It was surprising, but I try not to think about it or the flutter that goes through my stomach at the action.
We park across the street in a reserved parking section for the restaurant and have to cross to get there. I suddenly feel out of place. It looks like a fancy place, and neither of us are dressed for a place like this. When he walks up to the hostess stand, there’s no strange looks in our direction; we’re just whisked away to a small private room.
We’re left with menus and the soft sound of trickling water from a fountain in the corner of the room. I look around at all the pretty decorations. “Isn’t this a little much for a random Monday?”
Vin shrugs, “It’s special. It’s the first time I’ve gone out to eat with you.” My cheeks heat, and I have no idea what to say to that. “Oh my god. Are you blushing? You’re totally blushing.”
I slap my hands over my cheeks, “I am not! It’s just warm in here.”
Vin laughs, and I stop moving. Hell, I even stop breathing to watch how bright and happy he looks while he laughs. While he and his brother are identical, they act so differently. Seeing Vin laughing like this makes a pang go through my chest. He doesn’t do it nearly enough. I don’t even notice that I’m staring at him until his face falls, and he tilts his head at me. “What?”
I shake my head, “I was just thinking about something.”
His brows lower over his eyes, “About what?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Gah! It’s not like we’re friends, so what’s he going to do if I ask a question he doesn’t like? Set me free? Oh no…
Seriously, oh no, I don’t want to have to pay rent again.
“Come on. Just say it,” he prompts.
“I was just wondering why Nic’s always so carefree while you’re always so… serious.” I manage to find a more polite way to express what I’m thinking.
Vin frowns, looking down at the table between us. “Well, our family was very traditional. I was born first, even if it was only by a few minutes. So, I’m the one that took over when the rest of the family was arrested. I shielded Nic from everything I could since we were kids. It pisses him off to no end that I don’t let him help, but I just don’t want the bad things I do to touch him. We may be the same age but he’s still my little brother.”
I practically melt at the thought of this man loving his brother so much that he would take on the darkness of their existence just so he can live in the light. Is that what having a real family is supposed to be like?
