Chapter 28

The next day, Maura walked down the hall to their new offices trying not to be bummed. She had thought the guys would come with her, but apparently they weren't interested in seeing the new offices. Rory she understood, but she thought Zeke would have been interested.

"We're still getting everything settled, but you'll be able to get an idea of the layout," Conner said as he punched in the security code for the door.

Maura stepped in and smiled. The carpets had been laid and she could still smell the paint.

"Wow, this is nice."

It was sleek and elegant, but she didn't expect any less than that from Conner. He'd always had an innate sense of style that sometimes irritated her.

"Yeah, I like it. I wasn't sure if it was going to come through, but we got the bid with the contractors, and the rent isn't that bad—for Honolulu."

She smiled. "Let me guess, Evan Chambers had something to do with it?"

Conner smiled. "Yeah. He said something about a family discount."

She was really happy for Conner. A man who had been a workaholic for years, he was finally starting to take life more slowly thanks to Jillian. Just a few months ago, he had ended up in the hospital and had been ordered to rest. She sent him to Hawaii and to Jillian.

"So, you still like living here?"

He nodded. "I would have never thought I would."

"Why would you say that?" she asked walking toward the ceiling to floor windows. She could see the Honolulu Harbor from where she was standing. The sunlight sparkled on the water below. Traffic buzzed by.

"It's hot here all the time."

She laughed. "Conner, you used to live in Miami."

"That's different. Here nothing ever really changes. Okay on our side of the island we get a bit more of the winter storm season, but that's it."

"But, you love it."

He said nothing and she looked over her shoulder at him. He was studying her as he often did when she was a teenager. Their difference in age had never been a problem. He had treated her with kindness most teenage brothers wouldn't have for their egghead little sister. But, when he got that look on his face, he was trying to figure something out. Usually what she was up to—and that would not be a good thing right now. She was still trying to sort her feelings out for the guys. She didn't need Conner sticking his big nose in and mucking things up.

"What?"

He cocked his head to the side. "There's something different about you."

Maura had to resist the urge to fidget. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged but didn't say anything. God, she hated him when he was like this. He was trying to figure her out like she was some kind of a puzzle.

"Spit it out, Conner."

"It's like you're another person."

That wasn't what she expected to hear. She digested that for a second or two. "Than I normally am? I think not."

"No, just the last few months."

"I've been a bit stressed," she said, hating that she was lying to him but knew it was best. She wouldn't keep Rory and Zeke a secret from her brother if she knew where they were headed. They didn't need the added pressure of her brother judging them before they decided what to do.

He mulled that comment. "Jillian's been worried."

"Yeah, she's mentioned that to me."

"I…"

He trailed off as if unsure what to say next. This was definitely not like him. Conner was always sure of his actions. He never started anything he wouldn't finish, including a simple conversation.

"I've been a little worried."

She settled on the large windowsill and leaned against the window. "You've been worried? Conner, don't lie to me."

He sighed. "We're not good with picking up on feelings, you know that. Both of us are…kind of lost when it comes to all these feelings but Zeke gave me hell yesterday."

"So, you're doing this because Zeke told you to?"

Another sigh. "No. Not really. Both of us are kind of bad about picking up on things like that.

That much was true. She was always too focused on whatever project she was working on. Conner, well, he was just focused on the company. The idea that Zeke had yelled at him about it made her feel better.

"So, Jillian said something to you?"

He shrugged. "Not until Zeke said something. She…well Jillian claims there are times you don't try to tell me anything because I will just ignore it."

She gasped theatrically and put her hand on her chest. "Never say you are…stubborn. It can't be."

He chuckled. "Well, she claims we both are."

"Yeah. She's said that to me more than once. Although, I have to say she's turning into something of an old mother hen. And while we're on the subject, when am I getting a little niece or nephew?"

"Jesus, kid, we just got married."

"You two have so much sex, I'm amazed she isn't pregnant already."

He rolled his eyes. "Probably sooner than later."

"You are getting kind of old."

"Gee, thanks." He studied her. "What about you. Are you seeing anyone?"

Damn, he thwarted her again. Best way to answer was a non-answer. Conner himself taught her that. "No, not really."

"What does not really mean?"

"It means if you aren't careful, I will go into detail about something that will totally embarrass and disgust you."

He sighed. "Are you going to settle down any time soon?"

"Why should I? You didn't do it for a very, very, very?—"

"Watch it." He slanted her a look.

"Well, you are a bit older than I am right now. Besides, you know my view about marriage."

"I think you should reconsider that."

She would have argued with him before. She had never thought to marry. Her years in the dating scene had convinced her that she wasn't the type of person to settle down with one guy.

Now, if she could get Rory and Zeke into a happily ever after, that would work.

"Tell you what. I'll reconsider it. But, work on giving me that nephew or niece, okay? I would love to go crazy shopping for little outfits."

He nodded. "Okay. Although, you know Jillian, she'll want to work her release schedule around it."

Maura laughed. "Yeah, but then you can't complain too much, buddy. You will probably come up with a chart."

He chuckled. "Yeah, you're probably right."

God, it was good to hear that again. Conner had been on the edge of something horrible before she'd convinced him to go to Hawaii for a visit. She had almost lost him and while he was thousands of miles away most of the time, she knew he was there all the time for her. She stood and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and tears burned her eyes. The warmth of the embrace made her feel as if nothing in the world could hurt her—just like it had all those years ago. He had been the hero, the one who had strode through the ER that horrible night their parents died and picked up the pieces of their life. He kissed her head.

"How about you buy me a pork football for lunch?" she asked.

He leaned back and looked down at her. "I'll do you one better. How about Bubba Gumps?"

"Sounds fantastic."

She pulled back and he put his arm around her like he had a hundred times before. Probably a thousand.

"You know I love you, kid, right?"

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yeah. And I kind of like you."