Andy thought for a moment. “I-I hear things, that’s all.”

“Like what?” asked Rose.

“Like he’s been sniffing around Mom’s finances, and that he won’t leave her alone until he gets what he wants. I can’t be the only one who calls bullshit on the timing of all this. Tell me you don’t smell a rat, Rosie. Seriously, you’re sitting here having breakfast with some random guy who’s trying to screw us over…screw Mom over, I mean.” She could see the slightest hint of blush color his cheeks as he attempted to recover the statement.

Bellamy didn’t stop chewing, nor did he look up at his accuser. A part of Rose wanted him to defend himself, but she knew he probably wouldn’t. And against her better judgment—Andy’s concerns were not unfounded—she found herself taking Bellamy’s side. For one thing, he’d saved her life when he’d scared off that gunman. For another, it seemed to mean a great deal to her mom that Bellamy stayed by her side. And thirdly, Rose’s interest in him had become far more than mere curiosity. He was someone she felt she could weirdly trust, wanted to trust, with her mom’s life and her own, and that was worth defending against her selfish little skeez of a brother.

“He’s not a bad guy,” she told Andy, “once you get to know him.”

“What? You actually approve of what he’s doing?”

“Tell me what he’s doing wrong,” answered Rose, looking to her mom for permission to continue this line of defense. The nod and the proud smile she received buoyed her up more than any editorial praise she’d gotten as a columnist. “I mean really, what’s your problem? Mom has invited him to spend time with her, to help her sort some things out. Why should that get your panties in a twist, hotshot?”

Andy stormed over to the cupboard and rummaged around for his hot chocolate. “Mom, please don’t tell me you’re all out of—”

“This what you’re looking for, dingus?” Rose tossed him the packs, not wanting to stir things up any more than they already were. She’d underestimated her brother’s directness, his sheer lack of tact with such a delicate situation. Did he have no shame? Hiring a PI from her own firm to spy on them before he got here? Words failed.

“When are you gonna grow up?” he snapped at her. He snapped at her? “Oh, wait a minute. This is precious.” He held his hands up and the knowing grin spread across his face. “I can see it all over you,” motioning to Rose and then Bellamy. “You two are a thing, right?”

“What are you yammering about?” Rose snapped back in defense.