Anyone but Alex (The English Brothers Book 3) Read Online Free

influence. She was a twenty-three-year-old woman who had lived abroad for the past fourteen years, chosen boyfriends, enjoyed lovers, and made her own decisions. She didn’t require or appreciate Cam’s overprotectiveness.
    That said, Jessie adored her brothers with the wide-eyed adoration of a much younger sister, and was always anxious to please them. So, instead of arguing with Cam, Jessie changed the subject. “Philly hasn’t changed.”
    “Hey,” said Cam , thoughtfully, switching gears. “Were you close to Jane Story?”
    “Not terribly, though I’d say we were friendly . The Story’s were members at Silver Springs just like we were, so I saw Jane at the club every summer for swim team and tennis team. I liked her.”
    “Margaret sure looked different.”
    Jessie grinned to herself, looking out the window. Margaret Story, with her petite build and dark brown hair, was exactly Cameron’s type. And how convenient that she lived in the same building now.
    “I wonder why she’s slumming with Alex English?” he mused aloud.
    Jessie bristled in Alex’s defense, but kept a tart rejoinder to herself. Cam was hardly an angel with the ladies. While he didn’t rival Alex’s reputation, he was no choirboy either.
    “It didn’t look serious to me. I’m sure they’re just friends.”
    “ Alex doesn’t do friends,” said Cam, his brows creasing. “Not with women. Doesn’t have girlfriends either. He doesn’t do commitment, Jess. Never has, never will.”
    “Margaret will be here tonight,” said Jessie gently , ignoring Cam’s meaning as she gestured to the austere granite and brick building she recognized as the Union League Club. “Ask her to dance. You’ll be able to figure out if there’s anything serious going on between her and Alex.”
    He turned to her as the car pulled up to the c urb. “Just remember what I said about him.”
    “At some point, you’re going to have to notice that I can take care of myself.”
    Cameron rolled his eyes, then paid the driver and got out to open her door. As Jessie stepped under the awning and into the Union League Club, she thought about Cam’s warning. Alex doesn’t do friends. Thinking about what Alex did do made her heart skip a beat as Cam ushered her toward the small dining room where they’d have supper before the gala.
    E ven though Cam’s Neanderthal warning grated on her sense of independence, he was probably right. Despite the way her heart had surged to be reunited with him, Alex was a notorious scoundrel, and according to most reports, a short fling was the most any woman could expect from him. Not one for flings, it would be best for Jessie to stay out of his way.
    She sat on the chair Cam held for her, searching his eyes, which still glowered with a warning. Her spirits plunged at the thought of avoiding Alex during her visit, even though it might be for the best…
    …unless Cam was wrong.
    Cam said that Alex didn’t “do” friends, but that wasn’t entirely true. She and Alex had been childhood friends once upon a time, and he was still a good friend to her brother. She thought of the boy who’d been so kind to her when she was young, and her lips turned up with hope. Surely someone from his childhood, who he’d known forever, could be the exception to the Alex-doesn’t-do-friends rule.
    Surely we can be friends , she thought, smiling at Cam and wondering if it was possible to reconnect with Alex English without riling her brothers or risking the safety of her heart.
    ***
    After taking a cab to the club on his own, Alex found himself leaning against the edge of the bar, searching the room unsuccessfully for Jessie Winslow. She and Cam must have decided to have dinner first, which was good since it gave him a bit of time to think.
    Margaret’s parting words had been bothering Alex, especially since he couldn’t argue with them. He actually felt sideswiped. His whole body felt electric after running into a girl he hadn’t seen