Chapter 24
Chapter 24:
Brinley tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What are you doing p>
Austin’s hand slid into hers, their fingers interlacing with practiced ease, as if they had rehearsed the gesture countless times.
“In front of your family,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to her with a teasing spark, “we’ve got to look convincing. You wouldn’t want your father getting the idea we can’t stand each other, right p>
Brinley’s attention fell to their linked hands. His palm was firm and warm, the rough edges of his calluses grazing her skin in a way that sent a quiet steadiness through her chest.
She considered pulling away, but his low voice followed, calm and deliberate.
“Don’t you want your father to feel at ease p>
Brinley exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes, but she didn’t tug free.
In the end, she decided there was no harm in letting him hold on. After all, it wasn’t worth making a fuss over.
Almost against her will, her fingertips brushed over the calluses in his palm.
The warmth of his skin surprised her—steady, grounding, almost pleasant. Her gaze lingered a moment longer. He looked effortlessly handsome, and even his hands carried a quiet strength she found hard to dismiss.
Austin caught the subtle movement, a flicker of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips, though he offered no comment.
і𝗇𝘵𝗲𝗇ѕ𝖾 𝗿𝗼m𝗮nc𝘦 o𝗇 𝗀𝗮𝗅ոov𝖾𝗅ѕ.𝗰om
Just as they stepped into the entryway, a thunderous voice rolled in from the courtyard, shaking the quiet.
“Felix, you hear me? Run that race abroad and give it your best! Come back with a trophy—and drive safely p>
Her father’s scolding made Brinley’s lips curve into a smile.
Following the sound, she spotted Brandon standing beneath the leafy grape trellis, phone clutched to his ear, his heavy brows drawn together.
“Brinley’s affairs aren’t your problem,” he barked into the receiver. “Austin’s the one taking care of her now, and he’s a million times more reliable than you p>
Felix’s muffled protests came faintly through the receiver, but Brandon only snorted and snapped, “And how exactly is Austin less reliable than you? Enough already. Keep running your mouth and I’ll cut your allowance off p>
He jabbed the button to end the call, then turned and spotted Brinley and Austin. His face hardened at once into a mask of stern authority. “Oh. You’re here p>
The act didn’t even last three seconds. His expression softened, and he beckoned Brinley over with a gentle wave. “Sweetheart, come here p>
Austin lingered nearby, quietly entertained by how quickly Brandon’s demeanor shifted.
Brinley stepped forward and slipped her arm through Brandon’s, flashing him a playful smile. “Dad, were you yelling at Felix p>