Riley didn't look up as he started slicing tomatoes and spreading mustard. "I'm sure it makes you feel better to think about it that way."
She wasn't going to win with him. Not ever. There had been a moment when she'd felt like she could have it all, but she should have known it was just a fantasy. Riley wanted something else in a woman. Kinley didn't know what, but it wasn't anything she could offer. She wasn't the girl people loved. Even her own family had cared so little, they'd been willing to kill her off for a buck.
"You know, I'm not hungry anymore. I'll see you in the morning and maybe we can figure out what Greg is doing. And we need to call a press conference or something because I'm sick of Greg telling lies about me. I promise I'll clear everything up, then you won't have to see me anymore."
So he could move on with his life. And she could try to find a new one.
Kinley turned away, but he was suddenly beside her, gripping her wrist. "Don't go. I'll stop being an asshole. Sit down and let me make you something to eat. Please. It's the least I can do."
For a moment, she considered stomping out of the room for effect, but she didn't really like fighting. Ducking out might only confirm her guilt in his head. Not that he had much doubt, but why make it easier for him to cast her as the villainess? Besides, she really was hungry.
"All right."
"We've talked about the press conference, Dominic, Law, and I. It's not a good idea. Right now, Jansen doesn't know if you're cooperating with us, so he's in a holding pattern. If he realizes that you're helping our case, he might destroy all the evidence or simply disappear. I don't think we'd ever convict him then. That would leave him roaming free … and he might come back for you. You don't want to be one of Jansen's loose ends."
Riley had some good points.
He towered over her, his eyes soft for once. "My brother is crazy about you. I … it would be better if we could be friends."
Friends. Law wanted more. Dominic wanted more. And Riley just didn't. That deep connection she wanted so desperately was a puzzle, and she only had two of the pieces.
"Sure," she said, hoping he couldn't hear the defeat in her tone. "Do we have any tea?"
He nodded and gestured to the cabinet over the sink. "All kinds. The James family keeps this place stocked. And the kettle is already on the burner."
He released her wrist. The momentary sense of intimacy between them ended when he broke physical connection. Now, Riley was so far from her in all the ways that counted. "Thanks."
As she went to study the collection of tea, he resumed fixing the sandwich. "I'm sorry. I really don't mean to hurt you. We've just tried this before and it didn't work."
She filled the kettle and set it on the burner, flicking the gas on. "Tried what?"
"The whole 'We-all-love-you-so-let's-get-married' thing."
They'd been engaged before? She staggered back. She knew she didn't have a right, but jealousy stabbed its way through her system.
Kinley tried to keep her tone casual. "Really? Why didn't it work?"
"She didn't want to marry me, not legally. She wanted Dominic's rock on her hand while she kept me and Law on the side. She had no intention of acknowledging the two of us in public."
That had to have hurt his pride. "She wanted to have her cake and eat it, too."
He shrugged. "She wanted a normal social life, I guess."
There was so much more to that small statement than his manner suggested. Kinley picked out a packet of chamomile tea and set up two mugs. She'd bet Riley needed some sleep, too. "Maybe, but having it at the expense of you and Law wasn't right. Besides, what's normal?"
He huffed incredulously. "You know what I'm talking about. Normal. One man. One woman. A couple of kids and a white picket fence."
She rolled her eyes. "I think that's overrated. I've known gay couples who stayed in love so much longer than straight ones. And all the 'normal' couples I used to admire are cheating or splitting up. I assumed I would have a normal marriage with Greg. He's one man and I'm one woman, right? Well, he turned out to be a criminal jerk who's screwing my sister and plotting to kill me. The two guys I have are wonderful. Our relationship might not be traditional, but they make me feel special."
"When you're done thinking about yourself, cupcake, consider Dominic and Law. If you stay with them, everyone will assume they're gay." His stare met hers, a challenge rife there.
Where was he going with this? "And we'll know they're straight."
"Huh. Well, okay. I guess it's not that bad, being considered gay and all." He focused on the sandwich again.
Something had rubbed him raw. Kinley knew she should probably let it go, but his words niggled at her, telling her that understanding Riley was too important to give up. Even if he never joined their relationship, he was an integral part of Law and Dominic. They had to get along.