“I know.”
“Did you check with the hotel?” I asked. “Maybe they fixed whatever was happening.”
“No, I didn’t. I’m here for backup. And whatever you’re cooking.”
I blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“Brooke stresses you out, and that’s the last thing you need right now. So, I’m here.”
“But you don’t like her.”
“I don’t only do what’s easy, Grace.” He put a hand on my shoulder and then walked into the kitchen.
I had to process what the hell he’d said to me.
Everyone took the easier path. It was human nature. I didn’t, of course. I always wanted to help other people as much as I could.
Had I finally met someone the same way?
I followed Dean to the kitchen and found him leaning onthe countertop. As I stirred the soup, Brooke poked her head into the room and glared when she saw him. When she was gone, I grabbed Dean’s arm.
“She’s pissed. Beware.”
“I’ve already seen her mad. She didn’t like that I turned her down when she hit on me.”
“She hit on you?” I hissed.
“Watch the grip, Mama. I ended up with you anyway.”
He walked away to get bowls, but I stood frozen. My body was hot at the memory of the two of us being something. Him bringing it up was dangerous for me.
The nickname made the feeling worse.
“Is everything done?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I shook off my thoughts and held out my hand for a bowl. “I’ll get Brooke’s?—”
“Food’s ready!” he called out.
“I usually make her plate.”
“How old is she again?” he asked, and I knew what he was getting at.
“I’ll take some sour cream!” Brooke said as she walked into the kitchen.
This would be when I broke and did what she wanted. Dean was undeterred. “It’s right here when you’re ready,” he said.
Brooke’s jaw dropped for a second before I saw fire blaze in her eyes as she moved in on Dean. “You don’t get to come around and change things inmyhouse.”
“Things didn’t just change because of me. You’re gonna act like an adult and not make your pregnant sister serve you. Got it?”
I’d never heard him sound like this. His deep voice and narrow eyes left no room for arguing. He wasn’t angry. He was calm, and somehow that made it all the more intense.
I thought Brooke was going to either slap him or storm out. Instead, her jaw clenched and she got her own bowl.
My eyebrows raised. That ... worked? I should have brought Dean around a long time ago.
After we served ourselves, we sat at the dining room table. I thought she was going to continue pouting, but she must have had an ounce of maturity in her body because she brought something else up while we ate.