“Not now,” she said, turning away, wiping her eyes.

“Hey, sis, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she said.

They both knew that wasn’t true.

“I know this wasn’t cool. I’m sorry for that.”

“I’m sorry I shouted like that.”

He laughed mirthlessly. “I haven’t heard you shout like that since I beheaded all your Barbie dolls.”

Linnea snorted. “Yeah, I was pretty mad about that.” She sighed and pushed her hair from her face. “I don’t know why I got so mad. I mean, yes, you might’ve given some thought to the whole living situation here. But to be honest, I’m really not freaked by the two of you hooking up.”

“Okay.” He sounded relieved.

“It’s weird,” she added, “but that’s not why I exploded. I think it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’m feeling trapped. Cornered. And you know what happens to a cornered animal.”

“If you don’t want me to move in, I get it.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s not it. I don’t mind if you move in. You’re welcome to.” She smiled. “I want you to.”

Cooper stepped closer, studying her face. “What’s really bothering you?”

She sighed and turned to face her brother. He stood still, arms at his sides, ready—eager—to hear what she would say. She and Cooper had always been close growing up. She’d been there for him when he fell apart. And now he was here for her.

Linnea began, “It’s like everyone wants a part of me. Not just you,” she added quickly.

“Who else?”

“Anna. John.”

“What about John?”

“You didn’t hear? He’s back,” she said. “Knocking on my door. I know he’d like to be more than friends.”

“I thought that ship had sailed.”

“I thought so too.” She put up her hands. “Anyway, now Gordon is arriving soon. He wants to move in with me.”

“Here? No way.”

Linnea looked up at him, surprised by his knee-jerk reaction. “Why do you say that?”

“You hardly know the guy.”

“We practically lived together last summer. You weren’t here.”

“But he had his own place.”

“Yep.” She conceded that that was the salient point.

He blew out his cheeks. “I don’t think you should do it.”

Linnea narrowed her gaze. “Why? Don’t you like him?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Linnea knew Cooper was careful with his words. He didn’t often speak out against someone, nor was he afraid to share an opinion. “Please. You knew him at Oxford. I want to know what you think.”

Cooper rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s a decent guy,” he began. “But he’s…” He paused. “Buttoned up.”

“I know he’s reserved.”

“No, it’s more than that. It’s like he holds back. He doesn’t let loose. Keeps folks at arm’s length. Once, a bunch of us guys were in the pub and he walked in. I called him over, and he joined us. But he never felt comfortable with us. He doesn’t, I don’t know, joke around. There’s like a barrier he holds between him and others.”