Free Since You've Been Gone (Welcome to Paradise) by Elle Kennedy Page B

believe that.”
    Mari shifted in discomfort as she listened to their exchange. And she suddenly felt unbelievably self-conscious next to Austin’s famous sister-in-law. Even though Charlotte was dressed as casually as Mari, both of them in jeans and T-shirts, Mari felt like a total slob compared to the other woman.
    It took a second to realize that Charlotte was now eyeing her curiously. “And this must be the friend you mentioned on the phone.”
    Mari knew that Austin had called his brother last night, but she’d been in the shower during the phone call so apparently she’d missed Austin referring to her as his friend. Ha. No way did friends do all the naughty things they’d been doing to each other.
    But she supposed friend was a lot better than random chick I picked up on the side of the road and started sleeping with .
    “This is Mari,” he introduced. “She was keeping me company during the trip. Mari, this is my sister-in-law, Charlotte.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Charlotte said with a warm smile. “Thanks for getting him home in one piece.”
    “No problem.”
    Mari was in awe as she shook the other woman’s hand. She couldn’t believe she was shaking hands with Charlotte Hill. She had all of Charlotte’s songs in her iTunes library, and she’d even seen her perform live in Chicago a few years ago. Meeting her in person was totally surreal.
    She was scared she really would start gushing about how great Charlotte was, but fortunately she was spared the potential for making a fool of herself when the front door swung open again and a tall, well-built man marched out.
    Mari was stunned by the resemblance between Austin and the other man. They both had the same dark hair, the same chiseled jaw, the same handsome features. Only whereas Austin’s eyes were green, Nate Bishop’s were a stormy gray, and they flashed with displeasure as he looked his brother up and down.
    “You cut it close,” Nate said stonily. “We’ve gotta be at Mom’s place in an hour.”
    Austin’s jaw tightened. “I made it, didn’t I?”
    A strained silence descended over the group, finally broken by Charlotte clearing her throat.
    “Uh, why don’t we go inside and get ready for the party,” Charlotte said to Mari. “It’ll give these boys a chance to talk.”
    Mari nodded and pretended not to notice the death-stare match currently occurring between Austin and Nate. “That sounds like a good idea,” she said hastily.
    Austin didn’t look thrilled about being left alone with his older brother, but Charlotte had already linked her arm through Mari’s and was practically dragging her away.
    Mari had just enough time to glance over her shoulder and shoot him an apologetic look, and then she followed the other woman into the house.
     
    The moment the two women were out of earshot, Nate turned to Austin with a scowl and said, “No more excuses, little brother—what the fuck is your deal?”
    Goddammit. Austin should have known Nate would cut right to the chase. His brother had never been one for small talk or pleasantries.
    “My deal is, I had a job to finish.” He took a step toward the SUV. “I should grab our bags.” As an afterthought, he glanced at his brother and added, “It’s cool if Mari and I stay here, right?”
    “Yeah, it’s cool,” Nate said grudgingly.
    Nodding in gratitude, Austin opened the back door and grabbed Mari’s duffel and backpack, then deposited both on the grass and moved toward the trunk to get his own bag. The entire time, he felt Nate’s eyes burning a hole in his back, which only increased the tension currently seizing his muscles.
    “I get it, you’re pissed.” He turned to his brother with a frown. “But at least I showed up, didn’t I?”
    Anger colored Nate’s face. “Gee, you’re a real fucking saint, little brother. Doing us all a huge favor by gracing us with your presence.”
    Nate’s body language was stiff, his hands curled into fists, but Austin