Wyatt appears in the kitchen a few moments later, standing across the island from me, staring.
“What?” I ask.
“She really likes you. That’s her hug when she puts her head on your neck and rests her paws on your shoulders.”
I shift to look Snowball in the eye. “Of course you like me. I’m very likeable and I brought food.” I set her on the ground, and she sits down, looking up at me adoringly.
Wyatt flashes a dazzling smile, and my breath quickens. When he’s not smirking, he’s stunning. There’s something about that sexily rumpled dark hair, whiskey-colored eyes, and sensual lips. The beard is hot too. He’s dressed casually in a navy thermal shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers.
I realize I’ve been checking him out a smidge too long. “I love your kitchen. Did you pick out this stuff or hire an interior designer?”
He spreads his arms. “All me, baby.”
“I’m impressed.”
He pulls his phone from his jeans’ pocket. “I’ll see what’s keeping Kayla. I told her you were here.” He presses a button and holds the phone up to his ear. A moment later, he asks her, “Are you coming down for ice-cream cookie sandwiches? They’re freshly made.” He shakes his head. “I told you not to eat all the M&M’s. Sharing size means there’s enough for two people.” He listens for a moment. “I get the craving thing, but—no, I’m not mad. Okay, bye.” He looks at me. “She stuffed herself with M&M’s. Guess it’s just us for ice-cream sandwiches.”
“No problem. I’ll make up a bunch and leave them in your freezer. She can have one whenever she’s ready.”
I get to work, unpacking the items. The cookies were still cooling when I left, so I figured I’d assemble them here. “I brought an ice-cream scoop. I didn’t know if you’d have one.”
“What am I, a caveman? We’re fully stocked here with all the essentials. Ice-cream scoop, pizza slicer, marshmallow-roasting sticks.”
“Except furniture.”
He inclines his head. “I’ve got stuff in storage, and I’ll buy more once the renovation is done. I’ll get plates.” He goes to a cabinet.
“Hi, Sydney.” Kayla appears in the kitchen in an oversized gray sweatshirt, baggy sweatpants, and flip-flops. No makeup, her dark hair in a messy bun. “Thanks for bringing this stuff. Wyatt didn’t tell me you were making ice-cream sandwiches until just now.”
Wyatt sets a stack of large plates and napkins on the island. I shoot him a look. “You can’t blame her for binging on chocolate if she didn’t know.”
“I thought she’d have better sen…” He trails off at Kayla’s withering glare. “All good. You can have an ice-cream sandwich tomorrow.”
I smile at her. “I’m going to make a bunch. You won’t miss out.”
“Thanks,” she says. “I just haven’t been feeling myself lately.” She shuffles over to the sink, helping herself to a glass of water.
“Sorry to hear it.” Wyatt mentioned she was heartbroken, and I don’t know how serious it was, but it must’ve been a hard breakup if she went to big brother for help and stayed this long—it’s been at least two weeks. My own breakups have been soothed just fine with the help of my friends. And even though it hurt, I always knew it was for the best. When something’s not working, it’s better to cut ties.
She opens the refrigerator. “Where’s the wine?”
“You drank it,” Wyatt says.
“Anything else alcoholic?” she asks.
“Whiskey,” he replies. “The good stuff. Wasted on you, so don’t even think about it.”
She huffs and turns to me. “Do you have a bossy big brother?”
“I’ve got four brothers.” I scoop vanilla ice cream onto a cookie. “Two older, two younger. Only the oldest bosses.”
“It’s the firstborn’s privilege,” Wyatt says with a smirk. I don’t mind his smirk when it’s directed at his sister.
“Any sisters?” Kayla asks, standing next to me at the island.
“Nope.” I press a cookie on top of the ice cream for my first sandwich.
“Oh, that’s sad,” she says.
I turn to her, surprised. “Why do you say that?”
“Because sisters have a special bond.”
I glance over at Wyatt, who took her in when she was heartbroken and bought her tampons. “I’d say your brother is doing a great job. I don’t see any sisters around here taking such good care of you.”
Her lower lip wobbles, and I shoot a look of alarm at Wyatt. His eyes soften as he looks at his sister.
“Sorry,” I say. “Didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject.”
“It’s fine,” Kayla says. “They’re just busy with their careers. One is in Chicago for the month for work, and the other is in the city for her big job, which has crazy hours, but she’s also living with this guy, and there’s no room for me. Wyatt’s all I’ve got.”
I suck in air, offended on his behalf. All she’s got? He just shrugs.
I jab a finger at her. “You’re lucky to have him. Now thank your brother for buying you tampons and chocolate. Geez, you think just any brother would do that? Mine wouldn’t.”
“It’s fine,” he says, holding up a palm. “She already thanked me.”
Kayla’s eyes go wide with shock. “They wouldn’t? Not one of your brothers? Not even the oldest?”
“I don’t think so.” Not that I ever asked any of them to. I’m trying to imagine tough Drew braving the tampon aisle, or Adam with his reserved nature. Yeah, just don’t see it.
“That’s a shame,” she says, her voice full of sympathy. “Sometimes when you need tampons the most, you feel the worst, and going out to the store is the very last thing you want to do.”
“True,” I say. “Guess I always thought I just had to suffer through the cramps alone. I get really irritable too. Like ragey.”
“All right, can we get back to ice-cream sandwiches?” Wyatt asks. “Enough with the lady talk.”
I hand him the first ice-cream sandwich.
“Thank you,” he says, taking an aggressive bite. He chews for a moment. “Really good. The chocolate chips are melting in my mouth.”
“Great contrast with the ice cream and perfect for a snowstorm,” I say smugly. “And you questioned my snowstorm essentials.” I get to work making more.
“Can I help you?” Kayla asks me.
“Sure. I’ll scoop and you press the cookie on top.”
We get into a rhythm making the sandwiches. Wyatt leaves, saying he has to take care of Snowball.
“So how long were you seeing the guy who broke your heart?” I ask.
She leans over the island, dropping her head in her hands. “Wyatt told you.”
“Only because I saw you crying at my restaurant, so I wondered if you were okay. He just said you were heartbroken. No details. I’m a good listener if you want to talk about it.” I squeeze her shoulder. “I promise to take your side and say evil things about your ex.”