Free Anyone but Alex (The English Brothers Book 3) by Katy Regnery Page A

turned back to her mother, Olivia’s expression was thoughtful.
    “I imagine it’s not always a picnic to have four older brothers.”
    “I love them.”
    “Of course you do, pet,” said Olivia, running a hand through her sensibly-short, greyish-blonde hair. “But we fare rather well on our own, don’t we? At Harrell House? Back in London? At least we did until you got that little flat.”
    She grinned. “We do just fine, Mum.”
    “Then will you take my advice and be brave? Don’t let them boss you around. Not about anything, and certainly not about your heart. Stand your ground, right? I like to think I raised my daughter to be just as strong as my sons.”
    “Easier said than done. There are four of them. One of me.”
    “Than do it four times as often so they know you mean it. To be clear, I’m not just talking about Alex. I’ve heard all of the rumors and honestly, pet, I’d rather see you date —”
    “We’re not dating, we’re just friends,” she said way too quickly.
    Olivia searched her daughter’s face before smiling at her with compassion, like she could see into Jessie’s heart and knew exactly how much of it was owned by Alex English.
    “All I mean to say is that it’s up to you to choose who you spend your time with. I love my four boys, but you’re going to have to carve out your own place in this family. You might want to start with not letting Cameron yank you out of parties when he has a fit of protectiveness.”
    “He was so angry with me. It was overwhelming.”
    “You haven’t lived with them for a good part of your life, and I suspect that you want to please them now that we’re all together for a spell. I might suggest that you” —She smiled gently at her daughter—“ love them, but please yourself.”
    Nodding, her heart swelled with gratitude for her mother’s wise and gentle counsel . Jessie had, more or less, already come to the same conclusion, but having her mother’s support made everything feel better. “Thanks, Mummy. I’ll try.”
    Olivia stood, tall and smart in black slacks and a grey cashmere sweater, and turned to leave the room. “By the way, your friend’s car just pulled up. Have a lovely date, pet.”

     
CHAPTER 5
     
    Lacroix at the Rittenhouse was Alex’s go-to restaurant when he wanted to impress a date, but he had purposely gone another route, respecting Barrett’s advice that he shouldn’t be seen at a hotel with Jessie, even if their only purpose in being there was to share a meal as friends.
    There was only one other place that kept asserting itself as a choice, and Alex finally surrendered and made a reservation at The Dandelion Pub. With its inviting fireplaces, country manor decor and an ample selection of British libations, he was hopeful that Jessie would feel right at home.
    However, s itting in front of the fire as he waited for her, he had misgivings. The Dandelion wasn’t very posh or exclusive. It was quirky, but comfortable, with its mismatched, plaid-upholstered arm chairs and ploughman’s lunch—nothing more than an upscale pub, really. And even though it was Alex’s favorite restaurant in all of Philadelphia, he’d never taken a date there. If Jessie didn’t like it? Well, that would tell him something about her, and make it a hell of a lot easier to say goodbye after their lunch.
    Because he was determined to say goodbye.
    He couldn’t have possibly canceled on her after accepting her offer of friendship, and with the Winslow’s joining the English’s for Thanksgiving, it would have been terribly awkward to cancel Tuesday only to see her on Thursday. But, Alex cared about Jessie in good and unfamiliar ways, in all of the right ways that felt so new to him, and he couldn’t expect her to accept his history blithely and associate herself with him out of a misguided attempt to pay back a childhood kindness. Cam was right. She was way too good for him.
    “Mr. English?” asked a waiter. “Miss Winslow is