“Don’t make me say what you already know,” he grumbled, incorrectly assuming she was seeking compliments. “You’re well-educated, with a career and a social life. You embrace your femininity rather than rejecting it like my mother does. She makes Therese think it’s not okay to act like a girl.”

Well. Who would have guessed he thought so highly of her? How flattering. Something in her tummy buzzed happily. She found herself asking, “What can I do?”

He resumed his pacing. “You’ll help her?”

Aria kicked herself internally even as she said, “Yes. I like Teri. I don’t want to get your hopes up, though. I’m not a miracle worker.”

“I don’t need you to work miracles,” he said. “Just be yourself. Do girl stuff with her.”

She rolled her eyes and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s so vague.”

He frowned in consternation. “Take her shopping. Get your nails done. Whatever it is that girls do to bond.”

“I can see you’re an expert on female bonding.” She laughed at his befuddled expression. “Leave it up to me. But my first piece of advice is that you need to call her Teri.”

He frowned again, eyebrows knitted tightly above bewildered blue eyes. “Her name is Therese.”

Did he really know so little about women? “She introduced herself to me as Teri, which means it’s the name she prefers. Calling her Therese won’t win you any points.”

“Okay,” he said slowly, nodding. “I’ll do my best. Thank you. I would never have known that.”

“It’s my job to read people,” she said. “Don’t feel too badly about it.”

“There’s no need for you to be concerned about my feelings,” he said wryly. “I’m a terrible brother. I know that. One other thing: I’d appreciate it if you didn’t let her know I asked you to help. I don’t want her to feel like a charity case.”

“Duly noted.”

He moved closer, and she slouched back, keeping her breathing even, unwilling to let him know how he affected her. Then, when his deep blue eyes bored into hers, she couldn’t look away. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have the same problem as he broke eye contact and shucked his jacket, the epitome of casual elegance.

“I’d like to repay you for helping,” he said. “Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

Definitely a bad idea. It would make people see fire where there was only smoke. “Sorry, I’m busy tonight.”

“Tomorrow?” he asked.

“I’ve got a family dinner.”

“Are you always busy?”

She smiled. “More or less.”

“Name a time and place. I’m free most evenings for as long as I’m here.”