Page 54 of Fierce-Colson

She looked exactly as she had when they were kids.

When something dug its way into her brain and she needed all the facts, details, and inside sources.

The laugh escaped before he could stop himself.

She didn’t get a chance to ask him why because they had to place their orders and both did quickly without even glancing at the menu.

He rarely got the luxury of a full lunch hour and he was positive she never did. So since she offered, he wasn’t turning it down.

“You look just like you used to when you wanted to know all the deets.”

She laughed. “It’s done me well over the years. So spill.”

“First,” he said. “I’m completely out of my element with Bella. So no busting my ass.”

“Never,” she said, shaking her head. “And I’m positive you’re not nearly as overwhelmed as you’re making yourself out to be.”

“Not as much as I used to be.”

Years had lessened his nerves. Nerves that were full of failing his half-sister.

Of the inner guilt he carried that maybe that he didn’t want this to land in his lap, but she’d had no one else.

He’d never turn her away. He just couldn’t.

And maybe his half-sister bettered his life in ways he couldn’t comprehend.

“Time tends to heal things.”

“Let’s start with there are female things going on at this age that I wasn’t paying much attention to.”

Her bottom lip went into a frown, but he knew it was more sympathetic. “Did it make you uncomfortable? Does she have anyone she can talk to about those things? Your mother, a friend, a friend’s mother?”

“Slow down the questions, counselor.”

“Sorry. I just feel for her. And you. But her because I know how hard it is to be that age when so much is changing in your body and life. I had my mother though.”

“She’s got my mother, which was a good thing because I hadn’t known they’d talked. That call I got a few weeks ago when we were meeting. The one from the school?”

“She was sick?” she asked.

“No. She had cramps. Or realized it after the fact. The school nurse who knew the situation pulled me aside to let me know. I had the ‘oh shit’ moment. I didn’t want her embarrassed over it, but I was. And I didn’t want her to know I was. It’s life, I get it, but I’m not a teenage girl.”

She reached her hand over and laid it on his. “You’re not, but the fact you felt all those things probably went a long way. You didn’t shield yourself from it. You tackled it head on.”

“Years ago I wouldn’t have. And maybe that's where I’m going. You should know, before we go any further, that Bella sees your sister-in-law.”

“I guessed that this weekend.” She put her hand up when he frowned. “I went to talk to Regan on Sunday. Let’s say I needed a sounding board after our date.” She’d leaned down and said the last quietly, which gave a hint of where she was leaning on things. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “She didn’t say a word. It was just a quick glance when I said your name and I pieced it together.”

Because she was smart like that.

Always on top of things and ready to strike.

“I’ve talked to Regan also. I felt it was for the best, but I haven’t in well over a year.”

“No need to explain. That’s between you two. I don’t have a problem with it unless you do?”

He shook his head, the churning in his gut much less. “No. It was the smart, responsible thing to do. Whether I talk to Regan or anyone else. She does some work for the PD when there are mandated sessions and that is why I reached out to her.”