When they got close, Brittany looked up and a wide, welcoming smile curved her lips. Josie could swear she saw relief in the other woman’s expression. Perhaps she’d been worried that Ash wouldn’t come.
And when she smiled, Josie could see just how stunningly beautiful Brittany was. But then, Ash was a beautiful man. Brittany was more his feminine counterpart. She didn’t have the hard edges that Ash had. She lacked Ash’s intense gaze, his expression, the way he carried himself.
No matter how crazy or horrible his parents were, they definitely gave their children the beautiful genes.
Brittany rose but stood still, as if waiting to see how Ash would greet her. Ash circled the table and enveloped his sister in a big hug. He kissed her cheek and then took her hand, squeezing it. Brittany’s reaction was sweet. She stared up at Ash, just like most sisters stared up at their big brothers when they’d done something huge and nice for their baby sisters. She looked at him like he hung the moon.
“Britt, I want you to meet Josie. Josie, this is my sister, Brittany.”
“Hello, Josie,” Brittany said in a cultured voice that just screamed money and privilege.
But there was no pretension about her. She grasped Josie’s hand warmly and then, to Josie’s surprise, Brittany hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
“Hello, Brittany. I’m so happy to finally meet you. Ash has told me so much about you.”
At that, her excitement dimmed, and her eyes grew cloudy with worry.
“It was all good,” Josie hastened to say, regretting that she’d already put her foot in her mouth. “He said you were doing wonderfully in your job here. He bragged that you would end up running the entire thing before it was over with.”
Brittany smiled and relaxed. Ash guided both women to their seats and then motioned for the waiter.
“I’m enjoying it,” Brittany said, once the waiter took their drink order. “It’s nice to be . . . useful. I’m remembering how smart I am. It just took a while because unfortunately I’ve become very adept at being dumb over the years.”
Ash shook his head. “Cut yourself some slack, Britt. You’ll get there. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Josie laughed at the old saying. “He’s right, though. I’ve made my share of really dumb mistakes. But I’m through beating myself up over them.”
Ash squeezed her hand under the table but then surprised her by dragging it up and over the table where he pulled it to his mouth and pressed a kiss into her palm.
“Glad to hear that, baby. About time.”
Brittany looked inquisitively between Ash and Josie and then her eyes widened before a broad smile lit up her entire face.
Josie guessed it was pretty obvious that she and Ash were more than just a casual date. But then Ash had made it pretty clear that Josie was someone important to him. Why else would he bring her to lunch with his sister?
“Mom giving you any more trouble, Britt?” Ash asked.
Brittany made a face and then took a long swallow of the wine the waiter had served. “She came by that one time I told you about. After that she resorted to calling every day. I ignore the calls and let them go to voice mail. She called work one time, and I told her off. I haven’t heard from her since.”
Ash nodded approvingly. “That’s good. You’ll get there. Eventually she’ll figure out that she can’t get her claws into you anymore and she’ll find another target.”
“Like she did with you?” Brittany pointed out, a snort passing her lips.