Irrational (Underneath it All Series: Book Two) (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) Read Online Free Page B

should teach you a move or two."
    Rose had given me a standing ovation when I modeled a cartwheel. When I was done demonstrating it a couple of times, I even tamped down the bitterness and lied when she asked if 'mommy' had been the one to teach me.
    The only thing our mother had taught me was to expect nothing, so when I got nothing, I wouldn't be disappointed.
    Rose had plenty of bitterness to spare, her angry voice pulling me from the past and dropping me back in the present.
    "Remember the time Mom came to the football game to watch me cheer? Or showed up at a competition? Or showed me a few moves from her glory days?” She paused for a moment, then finished, “No? Me neither."
    She snatched the pot from the stove and I gasped on the inside, picturing water scalding her because I was picking at the wound. Poking it until it bled.
    My worry was unfounded because my sister handled herself, carefully pouring the noodles into the strainer. When she put aside the pot and turned to me, steam shrouding her face, I could have sworn I saw the tiniest bit of nostalgia rippling across her face.
    "Yes, I remember," she said finally. "Why?"
    I bit my lip, tears immediately rushing to my eyes. "I can't remember the last time I was just there for you like that. Not because Mom was on the warpath. Because you're my sister, and that's what sisters do."
    Her mouth fell open slightly and the nostalgia I’d seen quickly turned to something else. "Sadie..."
    Her voice broke and I bolted to her, wrapping her in my arms. We were bonded by a lot of things; superficial things like our deathly pale skin and eyes that you couldn't look away from, our love of singing along to the radio at the top of our lungs, and a steel will to make it, even if we had to go it alone. Apologies didn't come easy, but clinging to each other, we both said we were sorry over and over again until we were laughing and crying.
    Rose wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve, flashing me the first megawatt smile I'd seen in months. “Clearly, I went overboard on the onions in the sauce."
    "Clearly," I sniffled myself, taking in the spread so far. From the simmering pot of pasta sauce to garlic bread toasting in the oven and the Caesar salad that she'd already put in bowls, I was impressed. "From the looks of things, you've graduated from the Sadie McLeod Culinary Institute to Cordon Bleu."
    She brought a hand solemnly to her chest. “Just so you know, I'd take your infamous fried bologna and cheese sandwiches over fancy schmancy any day."
    "You're just buttering me up so I don't complain about your non-stop Law and Order marathons," I joked, picking up the two of the bowls of Caesar salad. I frowned when I did quick math and saw a third bowl of salad. I flicked my eyes to the right. Three plates waiting for the spaghetti. Three Dixie cups beside them. "Are you expecting company?"
    Rose was suddenly very interested in stirring the sauce. "You know how you were just all lovey dovey and ‘Yay sisterhood!’? Remember that and don't get pissed at me, okay?"
    I slowly lowered the salad bowls to the table, not sure where she was going with that request. "I don't understand."
    My answer came in the form of two knocks at the door. I was too stunned by the fact that I had some unknown visitor to wrangle her for more information. It didn’t matter much because she bounded toward  the door, making herself right at home.
    She popped on her toes and let out a squeal that was almost identical to the one she'd made years ago when she found our mother's hidden treasure.
    Rose yanked the door open. "Come on in!"
    The third bowl I was holding in my hand went  crashing to the floor when I locked eyes with our visitor.
    Jackson Colt was standing in the doorway, clutching a bouquet of roses.
    Rose made a 'ta-da!' motion with her hands. “Surprise!”
    ~
    “W e’ve gotta stop meeting like this.”
    I knew Jackson was trying to lighten the mood. It was his thing, using humor to