“Hey, ladies. How lucky can we get? We know the two prettiest girls in the room.” Marcus winked at Chloe and swung into the booth beside her. “Come on, Aaron, have a seat. It doesn’t look like there’s anyplace else to sit so we’ll just join these two lovelies.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. It’s not like we might be meeting somebody else here.” Marissa couldn’t keep the sarcasm from dripping from her tongue. Darn it. What right did her brother have to demand that he and Aaron be allowed to sit with them?

“Oh, hey, Marcus, maybe we aren’t wanted. Let’s go find someplace else to sit.” Aaron stiffened at Marissa’s words and remained standing.

“Oh, no, please don’t.” Chloe piped up eagerly, anxious to keep Marcus by her side. “Marissa’s just teasing. We’re not meeting anyone. Tell him Marissa.”

Color crept high in Marissa’s cheeks. Grudgingly she moved over and made room for Aaron to sit next to her.

“It’s okay. Sit down.”

“Well, since you offered so graciously…” Aaron lowered himself onto the bench. Marissa saw her brother shoot her a quizzical glance but ignored it. She was too busy trying to catch her breath as Aaron pushed in next to her. He wore a yellow T-shirt that outlined every muscle of his upper body and the faded jeans he had on fit those long, long legs to perfection. When his shoulder brushed her bare one she felt a buzz zing all the way through her.

Thank goodness for Chloe and Marcus. They carried the brunt of the conversation, making small talk and including Marissa and Aaron. Marissa spoke as little as possible but couldn’t help smiling at their silly chat.

The pizza came and they all devoured it. Marissa sipped her second beer and felt herself begin to relax a bit. Maybe this evening wouldn’t be so bad after all.

When a solitary piece of pizza lay on the tray they all leaned back and called it quits.

“Ugh. I couldn’t eat another bite if my life depended on it.” Chloe grasped her midsection and let out a comical groan.

“I know exactly how you feel.” Marissa leaned her head back and breathed deep. She shouldn’t have eaten that last piece.

“Say, Marcus, any news on Staci’s killer?” Chloe asked the question and immediately a tension fell across the table.

“No. It’s so frustrating. We’ve talked to neighbors, gone over the guest registry, put our heads together with the detectives working the other realtor’s case. Nothing.” His voice reflected his exasperation.

“I want you to be extra careful, sis.” Marcus’s voice held a stern warning. “It’d be best if you didn’t hold any open houses for a while.”

“Unfortunately , I’ve got one scheduled for Sunday. It’s been set up for a month and Lydia is not allowing anyone to cancel open houses.”

“She’s a fool.” Aaron’s growled.

“She’s a businesswoman. She refuses to be cowed or to allow any of us to give in to fear or intimidation.”

“No business is worth putting human lives at risk.”

“Lydia would disagree with you.”

“Well, I disagree with Lydia. What do you think, Marcus?”

“I don’t like it, that’s for sure. Maybe I should talk to her.”

“I think you should mind your own business, both of you.” Marissa’s spine prickled as the two men ganged up on her. She was a big girl. She could take care of herself without these two goons telling her what to do.

“Come on, sis. I’ll just warn her about the dangers.”

“No. I won’t have my big brother fighting my fights.”

“Would you rather I had Borland talk to her?”

“No. I’d rather you stayed out of it. Lydia Hart is a bad ass. She won’t appreciate any advice on how to run her business.” She paused and drew in a shaky breath. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

She shot Aaron an angry glare that sent him quickly sliding out of the booth so she could exit. She didn’t even wait to see if Chloe wanted to go with her before striding off towards the restroom.

Darn men anyway. Why did they always think they knew best? It was even more aggravating that she knew that in this case, anyway, they were probably right. She really didn’t feel good about this open house. But she had her orders from Lydia and there really was no reason to worry. The attacks hadn’t been directed at any of the realtors on their staff and there had been no threats received. And Staci had made some enemies along the way. Maybe it was someone who knew her who killed her.

By the time Lydia came out of the bathroom and headed back to the booth she’d cooled down a bit. But when she returned Chloe and Marcus had disappeared.

“Where is everybody?”

“They’re on the dance floor.’” Aaron rose and allowed Marissa to slide back across the leather seat. “Looks like they’re having fun.”

She followed his gaze and saw her best friend giggling as she executed a charming little booty shake, Marcus’s eyes twinkling in appreciation.

“How long has she been in love with your brother?”

Marissa flashed him a surprised look. She knew about Chloe’s feelings for Marcus but she didn’t think it was obvious enough that the public could see it.

“Oh, don’t worry. She hasn’t done anything blatant to give herself away. I just sort of sensed it.”

“Hmm. Well, if you want my opinion, I think she’s going to win in the long run.”

“Why do you say that?”

“One: he lit up like a skyrocket when he saw you two. Now I’m sure he was glad to see his sister but this was more than that. Two: just look at them. He looks happy, relaxed…and enchanted.”

Marissa studied the couple in question. You know, he might be right. The band had slipped into a slow tune and Marcus held Chloe close, very close. His eyes were closed as he rested his head against Chloe’s shining hair, a sweet, contented smile on his face.

“But if you’re right, why doesn’t he do something about it? I mean, he’s had years.”

Aaron’s laughter fanned her cheek. “Maybe he’s just been waiting for the right time. Maybe he’s afraid he’ll get rejected. Who knows?”

Cocky, arrogant Marcus, afraid? He was the bravest man she knew. He was a cop, a homicide detective. Could he really be afraid of Chloe?

She shook her head. “I don’t think my brother’s afraid of anything, especially not a girl who doesn’t weigh 110 pounds.”

“Oh, you might be surprised, Marissa. Some of the biggest, toughest guys I know fear nothing more than exposing their heart to a special woman. The pain of that rejection can be more lethal than a bullet.”

She couldn’t hide her surprise. He actually sounded like a romantic.

"Close your mouth before a moth flies into it." He took one finger and gently lifted up on her chin. "Now me, I'm not one of those men. I'll take my chances. I'm even brave enough to ask you to dance with me right now. After all, you owe me one. We didn't get to finish our dance that night so long ago."

She knew she shouldn’t. She should say no. This big, macho guy wasn’t her type at all. He was a player, a hot shot, a powerful guy. None of those things worked for her.

But somehow she found herself taking his hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor.