Destiny by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online Page A

Tess…”
    Nash spared a quick glance over.
    Kelly had relaxed in her seat, no longer uptight now that they’d ended their discussion about them.
    “Now that I know what your issue is with Ethan, I think it’ll be easier to smooth things over between you and Tess. So maybe you’d like to come to dinner one night this week? This way Tess can spend more time with you in familiar surroundings.”
    He raised an eyebrow, surprised by the offer. “I’d like that.”
    “Good!” Kelly smiled.
    An easygoing smile he’d come to rely on to ease the knots in his stomach that Tess caused. “I appreciate you trying so hard to help me forge a relationship with her.”
    “It’s the least I can do.”
    He turned onto the road leading to the mansion. “And why is that?”
    “That’s easy. Because Tess needs a man like you in her life,” she said as he parked the car in the driveway.
    She already had Ethan, yet Kelly thought Nash would be good for Tess too. Something inside him warmed at the knowledge. Dangerous given the sudden emotional pull he felt toward this woman. Yet given how isolated he’d felt since Ethan’s return, he couldn’t deny having someone in his corner was nice for a change.
    Nash came home to the condo he temporarily shared with Dare to find his brother already there. He’d changed from his uniform into a pair of old sweats and was drinking orange juice from the carton when Nash walked into the kitchen.
    “Nice timing tonight,” Nash muttered.
    Dare opened the fridge and put the carton back before turning to face Nash. “Just doing my job. What were you doing?” he asked. “And don’t give me that just talking BS.”
    Nash shrugged. “I was giving Kelly our family history. I thought a visual would be better than the narrative so I drove her by the places we lived, that’s all.”
    “Huh.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You’re the least talkative of the three of us,” Dare said, leaning against the counter.
    “And?”
    “And you’re opening up to Kelly.”
    “So?”
    “Well, either you’re making room in your life for one more lady friend, or there’s more going on between you two than you want to admit.”
    Nash ran his hand through his hair. “Since you obviously know the answer, why push me to talk about something I don’t want to admit to?”
    “Because I’m your pain-in-the-ass younger brother, that’s why.”
    Nash started for the doorway, intending to go to his room and turn in for the night.
    “So, tell me, are you going to let a fourteen-year-old dictate your love life?”
    Nash paused in the archway and turned. “I don’t want to give Tess another excuse to push me away.”
    Dare nodded. “Understandable, except the kid doesn’t need another excuse. She’ll act the way she wants to act no matter what you do.”
    He’d never thought of it that way. “How do you know so much about bratty teens?”
    “I grew up with two. And I run the drug and alcohol program at the high school, remember? I see my share of obnoxious adolescents every day. Want my advice?”
    Why not? He hadn’t been doing so hot himself. “Tess already knows she gets to you. If I were you, I wouldn’t give the kid any more power.”
    Nash nodded slowly. “Good point.”
    “In other words, if you want to sleep with Kelly, you’re both adults. I say go for it. Just be discreet around our new sister. She’s a teenage temper tantrum waiting to happen.”
    Despite himself, Nash laughed at the description. “Speaking of Tess, after meeting her teacher and seeing that school for myself, I’m not sure it’s the right place for her. And before you say anything, my feelings have nothing to do with the fact that Ethan picked the school.”
    “Relax. I’ve actually noticed Tess is more moody lately. You think it has something to do with school?” Dare asked, concerned.
    Nash shrugged. “I’m not sure. But I think we need to be aware. We don’t want her to spiral out of control. We