“That was fast,” Mary called from the kitchen. “Did you forget something?”
Laurie dropped her purse on the couch and padded toward the kitchen. “What are you talking about?”
Mary whipped around, coffee sloshing out of her cup. “Shit.” She set the mug down on the counter and grabbed a towel. “That hurt.” When she lifted her gaze again, she looked flushed. She glanced from Amanda to Laurie behind her and swallowed. “Hey. Sorry. You’re home so early. I thought you’d be longer.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” Amanda said, passing her sister and beelining for the pot of coffee she’d made. Seconds later she had two more mugs filled and handed one to Laurie. “Cream? Sugar?”
“Please.” Laurie wandered to the dining table that connected the living room and the kitchen area and took a seat.
Amanda grabbed the cream from the refrigerator and set her mug and the cream on the table, pushing it across to let Laurie get some first and then nudging the sugar bowl that direction also.
She needed caffeine before she could possibly face whatever she was going to say to Mary. Her hands shook so violently, she didn’t think she would be able to take a sip without spilling the hot liquid.
Mary pulled out a chair between them and lowered herself into it also. “Did you think Amanda couldn’t make it home without an escort?” she teased.
Laurie smiled. “No. I’m sure she would have been fine… Well, that’s not entirely true. She probably did need an escort.”
Mary furrowed her brow in confusion. “What’s the matter?” She looked from Laurie to Amanda.
Amanda took a deep breath, staring at her coffee longingly but knowing it was too hot to sip yet and she was too unstable to pick it up. She’d spoken with Laurie before leaving her house twenty minutes ago. Laurie had insisted Amanda needed to tell her sister what was going on. And then she’d insisted on following her home to help smooth the way.
“Amanda?” Mary leaned forward.
Amanda cleared her throat. “I sort of met someone.”
“What do you mean ‘sort of’? Who?”
“Last night. At Laurie’s. When they all got home.”
“Okay. You mean you met a guy?” Her face perked up as if she were hopeful.
“My brother, for one,” Laurie added.
“Sawyer? The brother that just moved here?”
“Yes.” Laurie stared at Amanda.
She knew she needed to elaborate. So much pressure.
“Okaay. That’s nice. I mean, I assume he’s a nice guy.” Mary switched her gaze from Amanda to Laurie.
Laurie replied. “He’s a gem. She’s very lucky.”
Mary chuckled dryly. “You act like you eloped or something.”
Amanda leaned forward and put her forehead in her hands, groaning.
“Would someone please tell me what’s going on?” Mary’s voice rose. She gripped the sides of the table.
“Amanda?” Laurie prodded.
Amanda lifted her face. “Hell, I don’t even understand what’s going on. You tell her. Maybe I’ll understand better if you explain it to me too,” she nearly shouted.
Laurie turned toward Mary, her hands wrapped around her mug. “You know my people tend to live in groups of three.”
“Yes…”
“Well, my brother isn’t the only one who fell for your sister. Logan Masters did too.”
“What?” Mary jumped up, shoving her chair back so hard it toppled over.
Amanda flinched. She stared at her sister, taking in the fact that her blonde hair tumbled uncombed down her back. She hadn’t even tucked it into a bun on her head. She wore a camisole, sleep shorts, and no bra. And it wasn’t even seven in the morning yet. Why was she up on a Saturday morning so early looking like she’d just gotten out of bed and hadn’t slept long enough?
“Tell me this is a joke,” Mary said, running both hands through her hair and getting them tangled in the mess of curls. She was pale skinned like Amanda. And she had the same blue eyes. But where Amanda’s hair was almost black, Mary’s was almost white. She looked like a ghost.
No one spoke. Amanda didn’t know what to say, and probably Laurie was tired of speaking for her.
Mary paced several steps in one direction and then returned. She set her hands on the table and leaned over between Amanda and Laurie. She turned her gaze to her friend first. “We’ve been friends for almost a year, Laurie. I thought I was helping you out last night. Hell, I thought I was helping Amanda out. She needed to get out of the house.”
“For your benefit or hers?” Laurie asked.
That made no sense to Amanda at all.