Page 8 of Breathless With Her

“No kids, no wife. Been busy with work and family. But there’s a lot of Carr siblings, so I’m never really alone.” I winced. Yeah, I sucked at conversation.

“Nicholas and I got married right after college. No kids, though. We wanted to work on our businesses. Our careers. And I was never in a huge hurry to be a mom. Of course, I hadn’t thought Jenn was in a hurry to be a mom either, and now she has three babies.”

“I bet you’re one kick-ass aunt, Erin.”

“I hope so. I mean, the kids do adore me. And I try to spoil them, much to Jenn’s chagrin.”

“Sounds like she’s happy.”

“She is. Are you okay with that?”

I chuckled, turning down the street. “I’m just fine. We dated for like a minute if I remember right.”

“Oh, but she was so in love with you.”

“Yeah, teenage love, where it isn’t really love.”

“I used to think teenagers could really love. After all, I thought I loved Nicholas.”

Once again, I wanted to curse, but I held myself back. “I’m not saying all teenage love isn’t real. And you can still have those feelings. Just because he’s an asshole who deserves to be beaten doesn’t mean you didn’t or don’t love him.”

“Yeah, what does that say about me? That I could love someone who can do that to someone else. Am I a doormat?”

I shook my head, then reached out and squeezed her hand. “There’s nothing doormat about you, at least from what I can tell.”

“You’ve known me for like an hour now.”

“I knew you when you were a little kid, just like I knew Nicky. You’re a strong one. You’re going to be just fine, okay?”

“Maybe you’re right. Or maybe I need to forget, just for a minute.”

I studied her face, wanting to know what she was thinking. “I’ve got beer at the house.”

“Maybe I’ll be good. Maybe.” By the time I got her to the house, she was already sleeping. Probably exhausted from everything that had gone on and the fact that she was a complete lightweight.

So, I tucked her in on the couch so she could easily see the door and maybe remember where she was when she woke. I didn’t want to carry her upstairs to the guest room and possibly scare her. Plus, the idea of holding her close as I had when I carried her into the house probably wasn’t such a good idea. Because she had felt warm and soft in my arms. But she wasn’t mine. It would be good to remember that.

I took off her shoes. I thought about helping her out of the dress, but I wasn’t that much of an asshole. So, I just tucked her in and hoped she was comfortable. But she was passed out, so maybe that was something.

I went to sleep with the bedroom door open, hoping I’d be able to hear her if she moved. I knew she could call a ride share service if she wanted or needed to, but I never heard her leave. I didn’t know exactly what that meant.

I woke up the next morning feeling like somebody was looking at me. I blinked open my eyes and held back a laugh—and a scream since Amelia and Caleb were both staring at me.

The two looked so much alike with their dark hair and wide eyes, but they were both holding back shit-eating grins. I had to wonder what the hell they were thinking.

And then I remembered.

Erin. On my couch. In a dress. Passed out.

Fuck.

“So, big bro, you want to tell us what’s going on?” Amelia asked, fluttering her eyelashes.

“Shut up. How did you get in here?”

“You gave us keys,” Caleb said, sitting at the end of the bed.

“Get the fuck off my bed.”