“You lucky bitch,” Renea said. “You’ve just snagged yourself a hunk that any woman would jump at the chance to have for herself. Me included. The man works fast, considering you just met him yesterday.” Her sister looked at Elsa. “How do you feel about Brand wanting a serious relationship with you?”
“I think I’m a lucky bitch, as you said.” There was no denying the warm feeling that rushed through her at the thought of what Brand had implied.
Renea chuckled. “You go take a shower, Elsa. I’ll call Mum and tell her we’ll be a little late and to expect another guest to join us. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.”
Elsa nodded and then headed to the bathroom to do as her sister said. She just hoped her mum wouldn’t put Brand on the spot too much. Elsa didn’t need her mother’s quest for a grandchild to scare him off. She usually didn’t do the whole “meet the parents” thing until she’d known a guy for at least a couple of months just because of what her mother could be like. Her mum could be rather straight to the point about Elsa and Renea seeing to the next generation. Brand had asked for it when he suggested he join them. Hopefully he could take what her mother would invariably dish out.
After getting dressed in the clean clothes he’d brought with him, Brand went out to sit in the living room with Renea while Elsa took her shower. Even with the bedroom door shut, he’d been able to perfectly hear the sisters’ conversation. He had to admit he liked Rene’s straightforward manner. And it seemed she had a worse potty mouth than his Elsa. The sisters were similar in looks, but he was drawn more to Elsa, and always would be.
Brand sat in the armchair that was kitty-corner to the couch where Renea had taken a seat. She’d just finished talking on her mobile phone. She put it in her purse and then turned to face him.
“I just told my mum about you coming along with Elsa and me. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“Good.”
“I have to say it. You look a hell of a lot hotter than Teddy ever did. I could never see what Elsa saw in the fuckwad.”
Brand grinned. “Elsa told me that was the name you have for him.”
“Well, he is one. He basically ‘settled’ for my sister when he couldn’t get the woman he truly wanted. If it had been me, I would have done worse than throw his clothes onto the pavement at him. And I wouldn’t have given him his damn ring back either. I would have sold it, made some money off it. Elsa can be too nice at times.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you’re there to make sure no one takes advantage of her.”
“Damn right. And to give you fair warning, you hurt my sister, I’ll be gunning for you.”
“You don’t have to worry about that with me.”
“Glad to hear it.”
They fell silent. The shower turned off, and a short while later, Elsa stepped out of the loo in her bathrobe. She looked in their direction. “Just give me a few more minutes then I’ll be ready to go.”
“It’s okay,” Renea replied. “Mum said we still have some time before the food will be ready.”
“Still, I won’t be long.” Elsa hurried into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Silence reigned again.
Renea broke it. “So, Brand, you don’t seem much of a talker.”
He shrugged. “I’m not.”
She gave him a playful look. “Nothing wrong with that. I can think of a lot of other things I’d rather have a man use his mouth for.”
“You better not let Elsa hear you talk like that to me. She might not like it,” he said with a crooked smile.
Renea laughed. “Elsa is used to me saying shit like that. She knows when to take me with a grain of salt.”
“I know what?” Elsa asked as she joined them in the living room.
“You know when to take me seriously and when not,” her sister answered.
“So you’ve already started then?” Elsa came to stand in front of Brand. “Did Renea say something shocking?”
He shook his head. “Not really.”
“Believe me, she will. She gets her outspokenness from our mother.”
Renea chuckled. “Except I can take it to the extreme when in the mood.”
“If we’re all ready, we might as well head out,” Elsa said.
“Am I still driving?” Renea asked.
“Elsa and I will go in my car,” Brand answered. “That will save you from having to bring us back here.”
Renea smiled. “And give you the opportunity to leave when you want.”
“Let me go turn off the coffee,” Elsa said as she headed for the kitchen.
Once that task was taken care of, all three of them headed out of the flat and down to the parking at the back of the building.
Renea let out a low whistle when she saw Brand’s car. “Now that is one fancy and expensive automobile. The boy has money.”
Elsa rolled her eyes. “Get in your car already. Brand and I will meet you there.”
With a wave, Renea walked over to an older compact car and got in. She backed out of the space and then drove onto the street. Brand followed her.
He took a quick look over at Elsa before he focused his attention back on the road. “I like your sister.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elsa turn her head in his direction and smile. “I’m glad. Teddy couldn’t stand her. Mostly because he didn’t understand her.”
“My friend, Garrick, has a similar personality as Renea’s. He can be a smartass.”
Elsa laughed. “That about sums up Renea at times. I think that must be the reason why she doesn’t keep boyfriends for very long. Is your friend single?”
“No. He’s one of the married ones, and he and his wife just recently had a baby.”
“That’s too bad. I would have liked to set Renea up with him. They’d either get along really well or drive each other nuts.”
Brand chuckled and shook his head. “Well, we can still introduce them if you want. Garrick lives with me.”
“Oh yeah. You have that big extended ‘family’ of yours. And speaking of which, when do I get to meet them? Since you’ll have met all of mine today.”
Following behind Renea, Brand turned right onto a quiet-looking street. “How about once we’re done at your parents’ place?” He put a hand on her thigh. “Then you can sleep over in my bed.”
Elsa put hers on top of his. “Since today is Saturday and I don’t have to be back into work until Monday, sure, I’d love to.”
Brand took his hand away and slowed the car as Renea pulled into the short drive of a bungalow. He parked on the street in front of it. The house was familiar to him since he’d watched over it many times when Elsa had still lived at home. Once he turned off the ignition, he got out and joined Elsa on the pavement. He took her hand, lacing their fingers together, and walked them toward the house where Renea waited.
All three of them had just reached the door when a woman who looked in her early fifties opened it. Brand recognized her as Elsa and Renea’s mother. She had the same coloring as her daughters, but both girls favored their father more in looks.
“Come on in,” their mum said. “Lunch is just about ready.” Once they’d stepped through into the house, she turned to him. “You must be Brand, Elsa’s new boyfriend.”
“Yes.”
“I’m her mother, Kate.” She turned her attention on Elsa. “Show Brand to the dining room, Elsa. Your father is already there.”
Elsa tugged on his hand and guided him to a room at the end of the hall. Elsa and Renea’s father turned his head in their direction when they entered. He stood before each girl went to him and gave him a hug and wished him a happy birthday.
“Thanks,” their dad said. He stuck out his hand toward Brand. “I’m Les, Elsa’s father.”