Page 143 of The Wrong Brother

“A month.” A little more than that, but now doesn’t seem like the right time to get exact.

Matty lets out a sharp, incredulous laugh. “Emma, you can’t be serious.” I pinch the bridge of my nose as her voice hardens, gets technical, the way it used to when we argued as teenagers. It’s what makes her an intimidating and excellent lawyer. It’s also why we don’t talk much.

“You can’t possibly know somebody in a month.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Iabsolutelyknow that. This is exactly what I’m talking about. You dive headfirst into things without thinking.”

“I did think.”

“You always think you did.”

The words sting more than I expect.

“I’ve spent every day with him.”

“Thirty days.”

“We’ve been through things together.”

“Thirtydays, Emma. And you’re pregnant.”

I sigh, already exhausted. And angry now, too, in a way I haven’t been before…the hormones, maybe?

“You don’t understand.”

“No,” Matty says sharply. “Apparently I don’t.”

I glance toward Frank, who has quietly moved farther down the aisle once more. He pretends to study boxes of cereal, though I know he’s listening closely enough to intervene if he needs to. Crazy that an older gay man I met in California and have only been around a handful of times is more concerned for me than my actual family.

“I know how this sounds,” I say. “But you need to trust me, Matty. I’m an adult.”

“Then listen to yourself. You’re twenty-six, Emma, and judging from the magazine covers, I’m guessing this guy is quite a bit older.”

I scoff, feeling a twinge of annoyance in my gut. Because yes, Rusisolder. But he’s more of a man, more of a gentleman, than any guy “my own age” I’ve ever dated. And Matilda definitely shouldn’t be talking about relationships, consideringhertrack record.

“I trust him, Matty, and that’s all that matters to me right now.”

“You trust a man you’ve known for a month.”

“Yes.”

She laughs again, incredulously.

“This doesn’t even sound like you.”

“Maybe it is me.”

“No.” Her answer comes instantly. “This is the Emma who quit the FBI because she got scared. You’re just looking for somewhere to hide, Emma, and this guy sounds like he’s more than happy to let a young, vulnerable woman come in and mess up his life.”

I stiffen.

“This is the Emma who ignored every red flag about that guy in Colorado?—”

Andrei. Anger roils just under the surface, hot, becausehow dare she.She has no idea what I went through with Andrei.

“That’s not fair.”