Page 27 of Tangled Emotions

“Why?”

“You’re beautiful, but when you laugh the room lights up.”

The blush that crept up from her neck was sexy as hell, and I felt my cock swell against my jeans.

“Um.” She took a drink of her coffee. “Thank you,Francis.”

I raised my eyebrow and pinned her with my look.

“Edith, you should take Francis sight-seeing.” Cora suggested. “I’m sure he would love to see more of our wonderful city.”

“We could do that.” I took a drink of my coffee. “You would enjoy riding on the back of my bike.”

Her face went blank. “No offence, Francis, but I don’t know you, and I have no reason to trust you.” She got up, tossed her Styrofoam carton in the trash and grabbed her coat. “Besides I have plans all week.”

“Really? Name one thing that would be better than a nice ride and maybe dinner?”

“A play with my favorite date.” She looked between the ladies. “Thank you, but you need to leave things alone.” Edie turned and strode from the room.

“Why does she do that?” I asked her mom after watching the door close.

“Edie is … reserved.” Irene frowned slightly.

“That’s one word for it.” I shrugged and tucked back into my waffle.

“She’s a beautiful girl. And has a much better temperament than Evelyn.” Miss Cora added.

Irene took a drink of her coffee and sat back. “Evie is like a chihuahua on coke.” She shook her head. “She’s fiercely loyal and protective.”

“She really is.” Miss Cora nodded. “Remember when that nasty boy hurt Vivian?”

“Nasty boy?” I got up and refilled all our cups.

Irene twisted her lips. “Vivian is one of Edie’s best friends. She was in an abusive relationship and finally came to us for help. He pledged, or whatever it is when you try to join a motorcycle club and made an ass of himself in front of the pres and some members.” She shook her head. “My Evelyn was maybe eight or ten and she asked if she could punch the jerk. He asked her if she knew how, and my little girl knocked his nuts through his nose.”

I barked out a laugh. “She is fierce.”

“She would move heaven and hell for Edie.” Irene shrugged. “Maybe keep that in mind.”

“Noted, ma’am.”

We finished eating in silence, and then I cleaned up the trash. Before I left the room, I saw Cora pull out a deck of cards.

“Do you play Rummy?” She lifted an eyebrow at me.

“I do.”

“Come join in a few hands and see if you can beat Irene. That witch wins every time.” She laughed.

“Well, okay then. I have to see this master in action.” I took my seat at the table as Cora dealt me in.

Edith

How could mom do that? What was she even thinking?

I filled the drive back to the diner by singing at the top of my lungs to some heavy metal. It helped me get my rage out so I wouldn’t throttle my sister when I saw her.

How could she give a stranger my number?