Page 164 of Shades of Loyalty
A few seconds pass. But fuck, they feel like minutes. Maybe even hours.
He looks at me with a shocked expression before it slowly turns into a smile, fucking finally showing me thathe is happy for us—and doesn’t think that I’m fucking insane.
Maybe I am. But that doesn’t matter to me. It hasn’t mattered to me ever since I met that woman.
“Finally! I knew you’d do it one day.”
“You really did?” I ask, suspicious.
He grins. “I thought you’d ask me for help beforehand, but honestly, I’m glad I didn’t have to help you this time. Shows that you’re finally growing up,” he raises his hand to swipe away an imaginary tear, “Ah, they grow up so fast.”
I scoff. “I’m older than you, Andrew.”
He scoffs back. “Then why did you need support asking a grown woman to be your girlfriend?”
A laugh escapes me. “I’m never asking you for help ever again.”
He shakes his head while laughing. “You’re such an idiot.”
I grin at him. “Do you think it was a good choice to ask her? I mean, do you think it’s too soon, or—”
“Stop overthinking this. It’s perfect. You know she loves you.”
“I know, I know. She’s perfect, you know?”
“Perfect for you, definitely.”
Both of us grin at each other before I look at the clock. I still have enough time left, but…
“Do you have some space for some pastries?”
“What?”
He gives me a sheepish grin. “I had way too much time staying up all night, so I tried out a few new recipes, and… Wait.”
I stay in the hallway as he walks to his kitchen, coming back out with a box filled with several pastries.
“Holy fuck, did you even sleep tonight?”
“Not a lot. Did you expect me to?”
“Um…” I take the box filled with delicious desserts into my hand. “Not really, no?”
“Good. Take them with you. I’m sure Jennifer wants some. Oh, and her little girl as well!”
“Mary.”
He nods. “Exactly! Her.”
“You better remember her name from now on.” I give him a dangerous glance.
He raises his eyebrows. “Protective much?”
“She’s my daughter now. Obviously.”
My brother chuckles before we both walk toward the entrance door again. “Make sure to eat everything up with your girls, then. And please let me know if they tasted good. I may put them on my menu.”
“But the bakery is closed—”
