Page 13 of Nothing to Win

What was that supposed to mean and why did it sound like an insult?

“Doesn’t that mean you should resist making quips like you just did?”

A sort of concession came when the corner of his mouth twitched.Was that a dimple?

“My girlfriend’s brother should toughen up.”

“And if he says such things about you?”

“I can take it, Gianna.I’m not easily offended.”

“I don’t want you to fight,” she said.Bram would need to hear this too.“Please, I’ve agreed to do whatever you ask.All I ask is that you try to get along with my family.I don’t like confrontation.”

“You defend them though they disregard you.”

Is that what he thought?They shouldn’t get too deep into what Spurn knew about her family and her relationship with them.What he thought he knew at any rate.The start of the evening, on a first date, was not the time to trade stories spread in society.They wouldn’t be complimentary; they rarely were.

The waiter came over to ask, “Are you ready to order?”

Sooner choices were made, the sooner they’d be out of there.Why were both men looking at her?

“Are you?”Spurn asked.

Her.That question was aimed at her.

“Am I…?”

“Ready to order?”Spurn asked.

“Oh, uh… I thought you were… Do as I’m told.”

Wasn’t he making all decisions?

“You can choose your own food.”

“Oh…” Her father didn’t think so.And, in contrast, Brogan Spurn… what a surprise.“I’ll have the sea bass.”

Spurn ordered the fish too and picked a complementary wine.Order her own food.That was a new one.Her father ordered for the Sear women whenever they were out.Out?No, everywhere.

Society’s stories about this man were not complimentary, was there a chance they were also completely fabricated?Brogan Spurn was supposed to be rude and overbearing.He was supposed to be ruthless and stubborn.A man like that wouldn’t treat her like a human let alone show her respect and allow her choice.

Mysterious.

Maybe she could do something about that.

“I don’t know much about your family,” she said.

“Not much to know.My father died a decade ago in a boating accident.”

“And your mom?”

“Long gone by then.My father was vacationing with his mistress.”

“She died too?”

He shook his head.“She lives in the city.We set her up in an apartment, she gets expenses, anything she needs.”

Spurn was watching something on the other side of the room.Did the distraction loosen his lips?