Other than in pictures online, this was her first time seeing him in a suit. She had not been ready. The tailored jacket hugged his chiseled shoulders and tapered down to his waist. He’d paired it with a cream-colored shirt and black-and-gold paisley tie. Forget being a snack, this man was the entire freaking buffet.

She headed for him, but when she walked past where Darwin sat on the edge of the sofa, her brother reached out and grabbed her by the wrist.

“Wait a minute,” Darwin said.

Taylor noticed Jamar take a step forward, but she held up a hand.

“What?” she said to her brother.

Darwin looked around, then tilted his head toward the dining area. “Come with me,” he said, heading into the room and not bothering to see if she followed. Arrogant ass.

“What?” Taylor asked again.

“I wasn’t comparing you to Caleb yesterday,” Darwin said. “At least I wasn’t trying to. If it seemed that way, I’m…I didn’t mean for it to seem that way.”

Taylor wasn’t sure what was happening right now, but it was possible her brother was trying to apologize. Maybe she should warn the rest of the family that the world was coming to an end.

“Rebecca and Freddie thought I was insensitive yesterday,” Darwin continued. “I didn’t mean to be.”

Of course Rebecca and Fredericka were behind this.

She considered simply accepting his unvoiced apology, but figured she could at least own up to her part in last evening’s episode. She was so used to Darwin adding a negative spin to everything she did, her knee-jerk reaction was to respond antagonistically, often without taking the time to digest his words.

“Maybe I was a bit too sensitive,” Taylor offered. “I’ll be the first to admit that, where you’re concerned, I tend to react somewhat irrationally.”

“You overreact,” he said, his voice losing the tiny thread of contriteness it had held just a minute ago.

“I’m justified, asshole,” Taylor shot back. So much for them turning over a new leaf when it came to their relationship. “God, I swear, Darwin.”

He stuck his hands out, his shoulders practically meeting his ears as he tried to defend himself. “You said it yourself. I was just agreeing with you.”

He was such an asshole.

“Can we please just come to an understanding?” Taylor said. “Whenever you get the urge to offer your opinion about anything concerning me, don’t. It’s as simple as that.”

“I’m just trying to—”

“Don’t.”

Taylor heard her dad clear his throat from somewhere just over her shoulder. “Do you two care to join us for this toast?”

“Sorry, Daddy,” Taylor said. She turned to her brother and hissed, “See, now you’ve pissed off the Colonel on his birthday.”

“Taylor,” her father said.

“My fault, Dad,” Darwin said.