Page 8 of Possessing Paisley
“I know. I came to see you.”
She has papers, palettes, tubes, andbrushes spread over her desk. Chloe has loved makeup all her life, so making her own line of cosmetics, is a dream come true for her. Add in the fact that she’s doing it along with her besties, and she’s in total girl heaven.
“Am I in trouble?” she asks warily.
Tilting my head, I raise an eyebrow. “Did you do something that you should be in trouble for?”
Her eyes go round, and her hair swishes as she shakes her head. “Nope. Definitely not. You just don’t usually stop by unless you have a reason, and since Bash isn’t here, I figured…” She plasters on a wide smile. “Well, anyway. What’s up?”
A chuckle rumbles up from my chest because my sister definitely did something naughty. She’s with Bash, though. I’ll let him deal with her.
“Nothing. I just needed to get out of the house. Gonna head over to Declan’s, but decided to stop here first. How’s the makeup line coming along?”
Chloe’s face lights up, and she practically bounces in her chair. “So good. We’ve all been designing the eyeshadow palettes together. Scarlet is working on the blush and setting powders, Cali’s doing the foundation and concealers, Paisley is doing the lipsticks and eyeliners, and I’m doing the mascara and eyebrow formulas. Then, we come together and test everything and make changes as a team. It’s been so great. Cali and Scarlet have welcomed me right into the family. Paisley, too. I’m really happy, Kieran.”
If I could melt into a pile of goo, I’d be in a puddle on the floor right now. Seeing Chloe so happy, so content, and thriving after everything she went through with her asshole father is all I need to feel complete. I love being around Cali and Scarlet, but having my sister here is the cherry on top. And I couldn’t imagine her with a better man than my best friend.
A small twinge makes my chest ache, and I pull an antacid from the inside pocket of my jacket. I’ve been having a lot of heartburn lately. Not sure what’s up with that. I’ve always been healthy as a horse.
“How’s it going having Paisley live here?” Fuck. Why did I ask that? It’s none of my business how it’s going. I have better things to worry about than that little demon.
Chloe’s lips curl up, and it feels like I’m staring at the Cheshire Cat. “I think the better question is, how’s it going for you having Paisley living so close?” she asks.
That twinge sparks again, and my shoulders tense. Maybe I need to go to the doctor for a physical.
“It’s fine. She hates me and tries to irritate me on purpose. It’s not like she’s the first brat I’ve ever been around. You have met Cali, right?”
She brings her hand up to her mouth to quiet her giggle. “And you don’t do anything to irritate her on purpose?”
I shrug and cross my fingers over my chest. “If she would obey instructions once in a while, maybe she wouldn’t find me so irritating.”
“You’re impossible sometimes, you know?”
“I know. But you still love me, and that’s all that matters.”
Her eyes sparkle, and she comes around her desk to wrap her arms around my neck. Even though I’m sitting in this God-awful chair and she’s standing, we’re close in height.
“I will always love you, Kieran. No matter how grumpy, bossy, stubborn, and difficult you can be. You’re the best brother in the world, and I’ll shank anyone who says otherwise.”
Snapping back, I furrow my brows and study my sister. “Shank? What exactly do you know about shanking someone, and should I be concerned?”
She bursts out giggling and lifts her shoulder. “I learned it from Paisley. But it’s true. If someone tries to say you’re not the best brother, I’ll totally shank them. Right in the eye.”
Cupping my sister’s chin, I pin her with a stern stare. “So fierce. But let’s leave the violence for more serious things, okay?”
“Okay,” she whines. “If you say so. But it could really be therapeutic, I think.”
Shaking my head, I fight a smile. Jesus, my sister is cute. Getting this time with her means the world to me. “Where did you say Paisley works again?”
Chloe smirks and arches an eyebrow as she crosses her arms over her chest, trying her best to look tough. “Why do you want to know?”
I rise from the hideous chair to my full height, and she takes a nervous step back. When I cross my arms over my chest and mimic the expression she’s giving me, she lets out a deep breath and drops her hands.
“It’s not fair when you use your height and scowly face to get what you want. It should be a rule between us that you’re not allowed to do that.”
I tap my chin and pretend to think about it for about two seconds before I shake my head. “Nah. This works for me. Now, answer the question.”
“Why do you want to know? Are you going to get her fired?”