End of Story(48)

It was like Lars and I weren’t even there. Holy shit.

“I heard about the antimarriage stance,” said Tore. “I just hope these two messing around doesn’t make things awkward for us in the future.”

“I’m so glad we took time out of our busy weekends to help your brother and my friend,” I mumbled.

Lars glowered.

“What about you?” asked Cleo. “Do you have a list?”

Tore shook his head. “Not anymore. I am at your disposal.”

“Good answer.” She bit back a smile. “I wonder if that’s an older-child trait, being so structured. Only children like me are kind of all over the place.”

“Youngest are the best,” said Tore. “Creative, problem solving, we’ve got it all. Right, Susie?”

“Oh, yeah.” Grateful for the change of subject, I turned to Lars and asked, “How are you going to be, living on your own?”

Tore smiled. “You’re worried about my thirty-five-year-old big brother being by his lonesome?”

“Between you and me,” said Lars. “I’m kind of looking forward to it. Especially after the last few minutes.”

I nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Are you kidding?” asked Tore. “Late-night beer and nachos after a long day? And I watched Mythbusters all the way through with you. They made a ridiculous number of seasons of that show. How about having a jogging partner? Huh? That was handy. Not to mention, if it weren’t for me, none of your socks would match. I’m a rock star at sorting laundry.”

“That’s what you bring to the relationship, huh?” Cleo grinned. “Good to know.”

“Along with my baked salmon. Babe, you’ve never tasted better.”

“You only make one dish?” I asked.

Tore slung an arm around Cleo’s shoulders and fit her against his side. “When you make it as well as I do, you don’t need another.”

“He made it so well most of the ladies never returned for another,” said Lars with smile.

Tore’s brows descended. “That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Are you staying in the condo?” I asked, before the siblings could start brawling.

Lars turned back to me. “Actually we had a good offer on it so we’re selling. Contract goes through in two weeks. The owners next door want to expand.”

“It’s one of the reasons I asked Tore to move in.” Cleo slipped her arms around his waist. They fit together perfectly. “He’s been here every night anyway.”

“She can’t get rid of me,” said Tore.

The way they gazed at each other—I’d never had anything like that. Such devotion. A veritable outpouring of love and affection. There was a solid chance I hadn’t put enough thought into previous relationships. You meet a guy and sparks fly, he looks nice and he seems okay, so you give it a go. It seemed straightforward. And yet this simple process had bitten me on the ass more times than I cared to admit. There had to be a sweet spot between wearing your heart on your sleeve and encasing said organ in steel. Surely.

“Time for us to go,” said Lars, getting to his feet.

Cleo and Tore had started making out and they showed no signs of stopping.

I set my drink aside and made for the door, rubbing my lower back with the heel of my hand. “This was fun. Let’s not do it again anytime soon.”

Lars followed. “I told you to leave the heavier stuff for me.”

“I was more referring to the part where they dissected us in front of us.”

He just grunted.

Tore waved a hand in our general direction. Cleo broke away from his mouth with a chuckle. It did my heart good to see her so happy. Before she could wish us adieu or whatever, Tore was kissing her again. New couples. What can you do?

Lars shut the door behind us. He followed me down the stairs. No point waiting for the elevator, though my calf muscles disagreed. A long hot bath with a good book was what I needed. Of course, it tended to be the best answer eleven times out of ten.

“Are we still on for tonight?” I asked.

He nodded.

“What do you feel like doing?”

“Whatever you want,” he said, casting a look back over his shoulder. Not that there was anything to see.

“Why don’t I make you dinner?”

“Okay. What can I bring?”

“A bottle of red would be great,” I said. “Like a cabernet. Does seven o’clock work?”

“Sure.” He took a step closer, gaze filling with warmth. “We can eat first and then see what mood we’re in, sound good?”

“Very good.”

For a moment, he just stared at me. “You are very unexpected, Susie.”

“I thought I was inevitable.”

“That too. And one day, you’re going to agree to go on a date with me.”

My smile disappeared. “Lars, you do know me not wanting to date isn’t an indictment of you, right? I mean, have you seen yourself? And don’t get me wrong. I think you’re clever and capable along with being handsome. I’m just not ready.”

“It’s not me, it’s you?”

“Yes.”