The next morning, Laura nervously pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school. Trixie was slumped down in her seat. Except for the scowl she looked like any other seven year old, her curly hair bunched into ponytails, dressed in a pink jumper and white blouse.
"It looks like a nice school." Laura forced cheeriness into voice, dreading this as much as Trixie was.
"I bet the kids are mean here too." Trixie said.
"Well, don't give them reason to be. Just behave Trixie and you'll do fine. Don't start any arguments."
Trixie didn't answer, staring hatefully at the school in front of her.
Laura got out and opened the door for her niece, who reluctantly hopped down, carrying her brand new Harry Potter backpack. Over to the far right was a building with fenced in play yard. When she registered Trixie the other day they had been given a tour of the grounds. This was the first and second grades building was in front of them, a another play yard with a jungle gym and swings to the side of it. The other side stretched to reveal a big field, and at the left end of the building was another building with a playground with basketball hoops and a handball court. Laura was impressed. Apparently each section of ages had their own play grounds. Very wise, she thought.
Approaching the door of the assigned room, Laura was relieved to see several other young mothers with their children. One was a tall, thin boy with wild black hair that refused to lay down. His gentle, scared green eyes surveyed the room as if he expected a monster to pop out at any moment. Another was a pretty blonde girl with a healthy tan in a red sundress and sandals. Laura knew they weren't from Colorado or the girl wouldn't be standing there shaking from the chilly morning. Her mother was wrapping her own white sweater around the girl. The lady with the boy didn't look old enough to be his mother, but had the same dark hair. She, however, had it in ponytail which seemed to make it appear less wild.
Trixie eyed the two newcomers warily. Both would be fun to pick on she thought. Both looked terrified. Her gray eyes roamed the classroom. She could read faster than any of them she'd bet, and no one could outrun her. Up on the walls were the alphabet. No doubt they would be learning it. Trixie laughed to herself. Imagine their faces when they realized she could already read on a fourth grade level.
A short, heavy set boy with dark hair wandered in, followed by a taller, thinner boy with light blonde hair. Both were scowling and wearing faded black jeans. Laura sensed they might be the bullies. Let them try to bully Trixie she thought, surprised at the mean thought.
"Good morning, I'm Cheryl Jacobson." A pretty, brunette lady with tanned skin hurried towards the new students. "I'll be teaching second grade this year so let me welcome you."
Laura liked her. Her smile was friendly, lipstick a bit too red, and she could sense this was a teacher who taught because she loved it.
"And who all do we have here?" she asked, holding her roster. She studied Trixie, not Laura. "What's your name dear?"
"Trixie Stevenson." she replied, studying her new teacher. Laura knew that look. Trixie was looking for a weak spot in her.
"Well, Trixie, I am thrilled to meet you. You can call me Mrs Jacobson or Mrs J if you like. Is your favorite color pink?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Trixie eyed her suspiciously. Mrs J smiled.
"Because it's my favorite too. And you've got some gorgeous ribbons on those ponytails."
Laura was delighted as Trixie smiled an honest smile, not an I'm-going-to-get-you-as-soon-as-you-turn-away smile.
Mrs. J proceeded to meet the other new students. The boy was Luke Basing, and had just moved from Savannah, Georgia. His voice was soft with a quiet drawl. His green eyes drifted from Mrs. J to Trixie. Shalena Corey was the shivering girl, and she had just moved from Santa Monica, California.
"I'm going to round up the kids in just a moment when the bell rings. If you'd like, you can sit in for a while in the back of the room. A couple other parents are already there." Mrs J smiled at them before moving off, the three children following her.
"Should we stay?" the boy's mother asked. Laura smiled dryly.
"Oh I am. Trix is a little. . .slow to adjust."
"I'm afraid Shalena is too. Moving out here was traumatic enough."
"I'm not Luke's mother. I'm his sister. Our parents died a few months ago so we moved back here to live with our grandfather," the young dark haired lady blurted out. Laura smiled and held out her hand which the girl took gratefully.
"Laura Stevenson. I'm Trixie's aunt and guardian."
"Dessa Basing." she smiled. Shalena's mother was Helen Corey. Introductions made, the three moved to the back of the room to greet other parents who would stay to observe the classroom for a while.
The bell rang and Mrs J began to roundup her students, along with the other teachers. Students filed into the room, some laughing and giggling, obviously friends from the previous year. One redheaded little girl was sniffling as her big brother assured her he was in the next building. No one sat but remained standing. Mrs J smiled at everyone.
"Good morning everybody. I'm Mrs J, I think I've met most of you. First thing we're going to do is choose our seats. Now I like to do it a little bit differently than the other teachers. Everyone will get to choose their own seat instead of being in alphabetical order, but choose wisely. Because that will be your seat for the next month. No moving around. Everyone understand?" The class nodded.
"Ok, everybody, look around, take a minute to decide where you want to be, then quietly go to your seat."
Laura was enjoying this teacher. She was treating the children as equals, letting them make their own decisions. The children hesitated, looking nervous. Finally a pair of giggling girls took seats in the front room. Trixie slung her pack over her shoulder and sauntered to a desk near the back, against the wall. Shalena and Luke followed. Luke took the desk next to her, Shalena the one in front. Unfortunately the chunky boy Laura had observed earlier realized where Trixie was heading and tried to get there first. In his haste he stumbled and fell against another desk. No one laughed, they cringed instead as the boy hurried to the desk where Trixie had just set her bag.
"That's my seat." he barked. Luke and Shalena watched with terrified eyes. The taller boy followed the chunky one.
"Your name ain't on it." Trixie replied, sitting on it. Laura winced at the bad grammar. She had tried so hard to get Trixie to stop saying "ain't" .
"It was my seat last year so it's my seat this year."
"Children, do we have a problem?" Mrs J was right there. Laura watched, hiding her amusement.
"She took my seat!" the boy wailed.
"Henry, she was here first."
"But it was my seat last year!"
"Well this is a new year and we get new seats. Now come along." she led him away from Trixie who wasn't rattled in the least. The boy shot her a dark glance that Laura and Mrs J both saw.
The morning passed smoothly after that, as Mrs J took roll, and wrote in where everybody was on her seating chart. She spent the morning talking about herself and asked the children to talk about themselves a little. When it came Trixie's turn to describe her summer, Trixie spun a tale of traveling the world by magic, and flying through the air at night on a broomstick. Instead of being displeased at such blatant lies, Mrs J was delighted with her creativity. The other students stared in a mixture of awe and envy. Only Henry and his partner, who by now was revealed as Judd, didn't seem amused. The other parents seemed to be scornful of the child's lies, but some were amused. It was certainly a change from the standard routine of summer trips to Grandma's in the car with all the siblings.
"She has quite an imagination." Dessa whispered to Laura. Laura just nodded, never having known this before. Sure Trixie would read anything she could get her hands on, but Laura didn't know she was a storyteller.
The parents left after lunch, secure their children were in good hands.
* * *
Laura was experimenting with a new meringue recipe when the doorbell rang. Cursing at the timing she hollered "Come in!"
"That's not very safe." Adrian strolled in. Laura had her back to him as she studied the meringue; unaware he was studying her backside.
"Yeah I know but these are delicate. Walk away for a second and they're toast." she turned to face him and was stunned at the huge peach roses he held out to her.
"What - are those?"
"They look like roses to me." he flashed that dimpled grin and Laura was dumbstruck.
"I have some more in the truck, that can be transplanted for growing. These were cut from the parent bush, to show you what they look like in full bloom." Adrian was obviously pleased with himself. Laura's heart fell a couple notches. He had brought them as an example. Just her luck.
"They're lovely." she admitted, taking them from him. Each bloom was open slightly, a dark peach shade, the tips even darker. "Somewhere I have a vase."
His eyes followed her as she hunted for and finally found a vase, which she filled as she offered him hot chocolate.
"Is Trixie at school?" he asked. She nodded.
"Her teacher seems like a good lady. Very efficient, likes the kids. Trixie encountered the bully though." Laura laughed, "He was stunned he couldn't intimidate her." she recalled the event to him and told him of Trixie's storytelling. "I had no idea she could spin a tale like that. George - my brother - was the most logical person you ever met, though he was fabulous painter. I guess she got it from our family. We're all creative, except my sister."
"Kids can surprise you sometimes. But maybe you've found a talent for her." he took the cup of cocoa she offered him and they sat at the table, Laura facing the oven so she could keep one eye on her meringue. She didn't quite trust this oven just yet.
"What's the school like?" Adrian asked. As Laura told him about the grounds and the students she had met, it struck how comfortable she was with talking to Adrian. So at ease, discussing Trixie in an almost. . .familial way.
"And the parents were really nice too. Well, one parent, one sister." she turned the meringue around as the phone rang. "Can you get that?"
"Sure." Adrian reached over and grabbed the black phone from the wall "Hello? . . .yes. . .ok. . .we're on the way." he hung up. "Trixie's school."
Laura's face fell. "She's been in a fight."
"Come on, I'll drive." Adrian offered.
* * *
Laura ignored the stares she and Adrian received as they hurried into the office. Every woman in the office was trying not to gape at the gorgeous man in their presence. Adrian saw the chunky boy in dirty jeans slouched in a chair and scowling off to one side. Trixie was on the other end of the office, talking with one of the secretaries, telling her a story about the dragon that lived under her bed. Her hair was still in place and she bore no marks of a fight. The boy had a swollen eye and dirt on his jeans.
"I'm Laura Stevenson. You called about my niece?" Laura stepped up to the desk. The woman couldn't take her eyes off Adrian.
"Yes - the principal is in her office - she's waiting."
Adrian followed Laura into the office, which was decorated with dozens of pictures of students over the years.
"Hello Ms. Palmer." Laura shook hands with the principal, an attractive woman with big blue eyes. "What happened? I was there this morning and everything seemed fine. "
"Apparently Trixie did not start the fight, let me put you at rest. However, it is our policy that the children share the blame for fighting. With Trixie's history I was afraid she had started it but half a dozen children said she didn't. She was in fact, protecting another student," Ms. Palmer spoke quickly to reassure Laura.
"She was?" Laura was stunned. Trixie was a bully herself.
"Yes, Shalena Corey, a new student. Henry began picking on her about being from California. Luke someone - Basing - stepped in and Henry pushed him down. That's when Trixie got into it. The other kids said she was sitting on top of the jungle gym and just leaped down, got in his face and when he didn't back down, she punched him."
Laura was still reeling from the fact Trixie had been the defender.
"What's going to happen?"
"Well, since it's a first offense, we call the parents. A warning this time. If it happens again we suspend. However, it will be noted in Trixie's file that she was coming to the aid of two other students."
"I certainly hope this doesn't happen again," Laura remained calm. Trixie hadn't started it. A victory perhaps?
"We both do. The boy however, Henry, is repeating the first grade. He is a known bully and he was reluctantly admitted back this year. I shouldn't be telling you this except I can foresee problems with the two of them. Henry is on probation and getting into a fight on the first day is a violation."
"What's going to happen to him?"
"Well, this is the first violation. He has three before we expel him."
Laura nodded. Standard procedure. She had been through it all with Trixie.
"In the meantime, he will have to see the counselors also."
"Well, thank you for not expelling her."
"We really try not to expel as a means of control. We specialize in children with behavior problems. In this case, Trixie wasn't the child. More of . . .a good citizen." Ms Palmer smiled as she and Laura shook hands. Laura and Adrian rose to go.
"You can speak with Trixie for a few minutes if you like, then we'll send her back to the class for the day."
"Thank you again."
Trixie beamed when she saw Laura and Adrian.
"Adrin!" she hurled herself into his arms.
"Trixie, I thought we discussed no fighting," Laura said quietly.
"I didn't fight Laura. I was the defendant," she said proudly.
Adrian chuckled. Laura didn't bother to correct her.
"You did a good thing, standing up for a friend," she admitted.
"Can I go back to class now? We're going to have story time."
"Go ahead. I'll pick you up after school."
"K, bye!" Trixie tore out of Adrian's embrace and the office.
Laura just shook her head as they left.
"School will be out in a hour. Do you want to wait?" he asked. Laura realized he had driven.
"Oh, I'm probably keeping you from business! I didn't even think-"
"No, no," he interrupted. "I'm asking because there's a lovely park nearby we can go to if you wish."
"Oh," Laura hesitated then grinned. "Why not?"
* * *
They sat on a bench near the pond, watching the autumn leaves flutter down and the few remaining ducks swim. Nearby a man walked his dog and a few birds soared overhead.
"That went pretty well. Trixie's not in trouble."
"I know. I'm so relieved," Laura laughed. She noticed how striking Adrian was in the long, black leather jacket he wore, his long dark hair pulled back. Sitting next to him was so comfortable. She turned to face him.
"So do you always take such an interest in your tenants?" she asked with smile. Duncan grinned, noting how the sun glinted off her auburn hair. The gray eyes were brought out by the green in her jacket.
"Just the ones with adorable little monsters," he laughed. Laura grinned, saddened at the same time. So it was Trixie he was drawn to, not her. Well, Adam had certainly made his interest known the other night.
"Well, hopefully this school will be good for her. Of course standing up to bullies should help with the others," Laura chucked. Her face fell. "I forgot to take the pie out!"
"I got it while you grabbed your coat," Adrian smiled at her. She laughed.
"Good. They're tricky."
"I put it in the fridge. I figured if I didn't, it would melt."
Laura nodded approvingly. Domestic skills . . .not a bad thing at all.
"Do you want to have dinner with us?" she asked suddenly. " Spicy pepper steak over noodles?"
"Sure," Adrian smiled back and Laura's heart jumped. She was liking Colorado more every day.
* * *
When they picked Trixie from, school Laura was pleased to see the children lined up outside, teachers standing every few feet. The days of trust were over. Safety was number one.
"Adrin! Laura!" Trixie waited impatiently for them to reach her, then hurdled herself at Adrian. "I got an A in storytelling!"
"I bet you did," Laura tugged on one of her ponytails. She saw Dessa and waved.
"And Shalena's birthday is next week can I go to her party?"
"Of course," Laura answered, delighted to see Trixie so happy. "You like school?"
"Numbers are boring. But that dumb ol' Henry can barely read. Mrs J says I'm way too advanced for her reading class. You should have seen Henry's face when they were going over the alphabet and I started reading the poems on the wall." Trixie said proudly. Adrian was hiding his amusement. Laura nodded, unsure of what to say. Adrian came to her rescue.
"Tell us about the other kids. Are they nice?"
"I guess. Shalena is kind of cool. Awfully quiet. And Luke seems nice but he's a boy so he don't count."
"Doesn't," Laura corrected her.
"Well I'm a boy," Adrian winked at Laura.
"Yeah but you're a grown up. Not sure if that counts either," Trixie looked thoroughly puzzled. Laura turned her head to the side as they got into Adrian's Blazer to hide her smile.
* * *
Laura had just added the hoisin sauce to the wok when the phone rang. Adrian was in the living room playing Candyland for the fifteenth time with Trixie.
"Hello?"
"Have you ever danced in a Paris ballroom?" the smooth, clipped English accent asked. Laura laughed.
"No Adam. Just a Swiss one," she laughed.
"Then how about we go this weekend?"
Laura almost dropped the bottle of sauce in surprise.
"Well, I'd love to but I don't have a babysitter."
"We'll take Trixie with us," he said cheerfully. Laura laughed again.
"She doesn't have a passport. And. . .I think that's a little quick for me."
"Well then how about dinner Friday night?"
"With Trixie?" she laughed. He chuckled on the other end and Laura could see him sitting in a high backed, leather chair in his office. Probably elegantly furnished, a Monet painting or two. High rise building, definitely, overlooking the city.
"I'll find a sitter," he offered.
"Mother will be happy to take her."
"So that's a yes?"
Laura grinned to herself.
"Yes, that's a yes."
"Excellent. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be in touch as soon as I get back."
"Ok."
Laura hung up the phone grinning. How simple that had been. She glanced through the dining room to see Trixie sprawled on the floor in the living room, studying the game board closely. Adrian sat Indian style across from her wearing an amused expression. His dark eyes glanced up to meet Laura's and he winked at her. He had offered to help but Laura preferred cooking solo.
Turning the wok off, she drained the noodles and reached for the plates. Adam had asked her out directly. Incredibly sexy man. Adrian seemed more interested in her niece. Still an incredibly sexy man. But Adrian didn't appear to be interested in a romantic relationship.
"Dinner's ready!" she called.
"In a minute! We have to finish!" Trixie hollered back. Laura could hear the deepness of Adrian's voice saying something to her. A minute later they appeared in the kitchen, Trixie riding on Adrian's back.
"Yey horsey!'" she shouted. Laura shook her head, laughing.
"Go clean up," she told her niece. Trixie bolted to the sink ad began to scrub her hands.
"This looks great." They sat at the table a minute later.
"Thank you. I had just won a couple of competitions when I retired. This is a pretty simple dish though."
"She's got pictures an' stuff of her work," Trixie announced as she hunted through her food with her fork. Adrian looked at Laura, impressed.
"What are you doing over there Trix?" Adrian asked.
"I don't eat onions," she said very matter of factly.
"Girl who knows what she likes." There were those dimples. Laura smiled at him. He really did have a soft spot for the kid. And Trixie was very well behaved around him. Amazing. Laura wondered why the dining room was so warm.
"Oh, that she does," Laura said dryly.
"What about you?" he asked as Trixie absorbed herself in slurping up her onion-free dinner.
"Me?"
"Do you know what you like?" his eyes were twinkling. Laura sipped her iced tea, choosing her words carefully. There was no telling how much of the adult conversations Trixie actually understood. But she was growing warmer by the moment.
"I like fires."
"Fires?"
"Yeah. Fireplaces. Big fires on cold nights. Wonderful thing." her eyes were teasing him. Adrian smiled at her. She hadn't taken the bait.
* * *
"Thank you for dinner. It was wonderful."
"Oh, you're welcome. It's nice to cook for someone who isn't so picky," she smirked, leaning against the doorframe. Adrian grinned and before he could stop himself, had reached out and touched her face gently. Off guard, she flinched and drew back.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you," he said quietly.
"It's - ok," she smiled but he could see she was holding back. "Thank you for going with me this afternoon."
"You're very welcome. I'm very fond of Trixie."
"Well, you can see her anytime. She seems to have taken to you too," Laura laughed. Earlier he had read her a bedtime story before Laura sent her to bed.
"Good. Well," Adrian paused awkwardly. In her ivory sweater and jeans, dark red hair falling into her eyes, she was the unknowingly sexiest woman he had ever seen and he had to fight the overwhelming urge to take her in his arm and kiss her madly. "Good night."
"Bye." she smiled sweetly. He walked towards his car and heard the door shut. Why hadn't he kissed her? Why hadn't he asked her out to dinner?
Laura leaned against he door with a sigh. She should have kissed him. There was nothing wrong with the woman taking the initiative. But he hadn't made any move. Oh well. He was just a nice guy. Besides, she had Friday with Adam to look forward too.
* * *
Trixie was busy coloring when her grandmother stopped by. Sophia was thrilled to learn Laura had a date Friday night.
"I thought Adrian would have asked you out by now. He's over here enough," Sophia's gray eyes twinkled merrily. Laura shrugged, her cheeks turning a faint pink.
"I think he just adores Trixie, Mother. He's been a perfect gentleman." Laura eyed the consistency of her buttercream frosting.
"That's a pity," Sophie smirked. "Maybe he thinks he can outdo his brother." Sophia dipped one acrylic manicured nail into the frosting to taste it. Laura swatted at her mothers hand.
"He's very sweet."
"I bet," Sophia chuckled. Trixie came in with the large sheet of paper she had been coloring on.
"Whatcha got there?" Laura asked. Trixie hung it on the fridge.
"Our family. See, there's Gran, and you and me."
Laura and Sophia exchanged a glance over the dark haired man in the picture.
"Is that your father?" Laura asked quietly.
"No that's Adrin," Trixie opened the fridge door and reached for the milk.
"You drew Adrian in? Why?" Laura asked. Sophia was smirking.
"Cuz I love him. And he's always around. And he's kinda like Daddy." Trixie was pouring the milk into the glass as she spoke. Laura and Sophia exchanged glances.
"Think you picked the wrong brother." Sophia mouthed. Laura just half shrugged and turned her attention back to the frosting. Trixie's class was having a party and Trixie had volunteered her to make the dessert. Mrs J had been thrilled to find out that Laura was a Chef, and specialized in pastries and desserts.
* * *
After dinner that night, Sophia was reading with Trixie when Adrian stopped by. After a warm greeting from Sophia and a thrilled welcome from Trixie, he wandered into he kitchen, pleased to catch Laura alone. Standing back a couple feet, he watched as she swirled the frosting on a long, oblong cake, humming to herself. Clad in faded black jeans and a white T-shirt, he admired her form as well, wondering what it would be like to run his hands over the full hips. She was stuffing frosting in a long paper bag before he spoke.
"Looking good."
Startled she turned, then smiled at him.
"Hi. Thank you."
Adrian wished he could have said something else but he knew she had a date with Adam, and he wouldn't interfere. If it didn't work out however, then he would make his move.
"What's the occasion?" he came closer.
"Party in Trixie's class tomorrow. Her teacher believes in parties for no reason other than to have fun."
"Sounds like a good teacher."
"I think so. Trixie likes her." She was rolling up the end of the tube.
"You think a bunch of seven year old will appreciate this?" he asked. Laura shrugged.
"Don't know. But we chefs have a tendency to go overboard on food. We don't know what simple means," she smiled, melting his heart. How had he let Adam ask her out first? Of course she had never given him any indication she was interested in him, Adrian, and she had not hesitated to go out with Adam.
Neither saw Sophia peeking around the corner with Trixie, watching them. Even the child could see the pair had something unexplainable between them.
"Cupcake?" Laura asked. "I always make a few extra for Trixie."
"Sure."
She slathered a healthy layer of frosting on a chocolate cupcake and handed it to him. His hand touched hers and he saw her. .. shiver? she had felt it, that was for sure. His dark eyes studied her but she was back to squeezing a thin line of dark blue frosting into a pattern. The urge to lay her back on the table and find more . . .adult uses for the frosting was overwhelming.
"Thesh er gret." he said through a mouthful. The cake was moist and chocolaty, the icing smooth and sweet without too much sugar.
"Thanks. It took a lot of experimenting to get it right." She wasn't looking at him. She had felt it too, he was positive.
"They work." He was sure she was blushing. "Emeril's got nothing on you.
"Oh I'm not that good," she laughed. Adrian withheld comment, taking another bite of the cupcake.
* * *
Laura was relieved to see several mothers bringing in their dishes the next morning. Apparently none of them trusted a seven year old with heavy plates.
"And where did you purchase that exquisite cake?" Laura turned to see an impeccably dressed mother behind her, staring at the cake. Her red pumps matched her skirt and the she wore a long coat trimmed in what Laura hoped was faux leopard fut. Mouse brown hair was swept back from her face into an elegant french twist, revealing gold earrings.
"I made it." Laura said mildly. The woman stepped forward.
"Such work for a class party?" Laura sensed trouble from the woman.
"I'm a chef. I like my food to be pretty," she said sweetly.
"Do you cater private parties?" the woman was studying the cake closely now. It was two layered with a castle on top that she had made from graham crackers and covered in icing. With multi-colored frostings she had set a winding path up to the castle in gray, and piped in trees along the sides with browns and greens, a blue lake on one side. Several other mothers had come over to stare in wonder.
"No. I'm primarily a pastry chef."
"My dear, this is gorgeous. Gabrielle Criswell." The woman held out her fingers delicately which Laura shook shyly.
"Laura Stevenson."
"My niece is getting married next month and they're having trouble finding a caterer who does a good cake. The wedding is at the Ritz Carlton and while they're catering is excellent, their cakes aren't. I would like a sample of that."
"Well, it's just a simple chocolate but if you'd like to try it, be my guest."
"Think they'll notice a tiny piece gone?" Mrs Criswell chuckled as she cut one from the back of the cake. Tasting it she closed her eyes and moaned.
"Oh this is heavenly. Would you be interested?"
"In catering the wedding?" Laura's eyes widened.
"No, just the cake. This is marvelous!"
"Well, uh sure. I suppose so."
"Money is no object my dear so spare no expense. This is my card. May I have your number? I must tell my niece we've found her cake.' "
Laura just smiled, having the feeling this was not a woman to be irked.
* * *
"Have you asked Laura out yet? " Adam stood in the doorway of his brother's bedroom. Adrian's clothes were strewn around as usual. Adrian was sitting in the middle of the floor, back stiff. Adam knew by his breathing that his brother wasn't in full mediation.
"No."
"I have a date with her Friday night."
"Go for it."
"Are you even planning to ask her out?" the lean Englishman sat on the edge of the bed. Adrian never made his bed. Even as a child he had never cared to clean his room, preferring to let things lay where they landed. Adam was a neat freak and couldn't stand being in his brother's room more than a few minutes.
"No."
"I thought-"
"You thought wrong." Adrian stood and began his other stretches, warming up for a run through of his akido. "Adam, I'm not interested in a pissing contest over Laura's affection. If you want her, go for it. I won't stand in the way."
Adam studied his brother's taut facial muscles.
"There's something else going on here." he said. "She's an enchanting girl and you have no interest? You have someone else don't you?"
Adrian grunted a reply. Adam laughed. "You've got someone on the sly and haven't told me, you old dog!"
Adrian didn't want to contradict him so he just grunted again. He was not about to tell his older brother that he had fallen in love with Laura the first moment he saw her in the grocery store, when she grabbed Trixie.
Let Adam believe that Adrian had someone else.
to be continued
