Balfour didnât care what they ate. He just wanted to spend some more time with his sister and her kids.
Ellinor didnât min The kids enjoyed their uncleâs company, and with him helping to entertain them, she could sneak in a little rest.
But Byran wasnât thrilled. With his brother around, he felt restricted.
How was he supposed to act affectionate towards Ida with his brother watching? Heâd surely get a scolding.
So, when Chase set down the coffee and went back to the kitchen to cut up some fruit, Byran followed him in to confront him.
âHey! Whatâs your deal? Whyâd you keep my brother around? Youâre not even friends with him!â
Chase grabbed some fruit from the fridge as a smirk played on his lips. âByran, I wouldnât exactly call us friends either. So, what are you doing here?â
Byranâs face stiffened. âI⦠Iâm not here because of you!â
Chase washed the fruit in the sink. âRight! Youâre here for our Ida, arenât you?â
Byran crossed his arms. âOf course I am!â
Chase chuckled. âBut you just told your brother that a friend is getting married, so youâre staying here to celebrate. I didnât mishear, did I?â
Byranâs face turned a shade of red from embarrassment. He had indeed said that.
âCough! So what if I did? When Iâm with Ida, I consider her friends my friends. Besides, Iâve known Belinda for many years, so weâre practically friends.â
Before Chase could say anything, Belinda entered the kitchen. âByran, I wouldnât exactly call us friends.
Donât flatter yourself.â
Byran glared at her. âBelinda⦠Humph! As if I care about having you guys as friends! Ida is all I need!â
Belinda brutally hit at his pride. âHmm, I wonder if Ms. Gipson feels the same way about you.â
Byran looked stern, then lifted his chin confidently. âOf course she doesnât see me as a friend because she sees me as her husband.â
Chase and Belinda snorted and giggled uncontrollably.
Byran was annoyed and a bit embarrassed. âWhat are you laughing at? What did I say wrong?â
âEverything is wrong.â
The one who answered wasnât any of them, but Ida herself.
Ida had come to the kitchen to get the kids some water. She heard Byranâs inappropriate remarks as she walked in and showed a distasteful expression.
Byran was still a bit angry, but he quickly calmed down when he saw Ida. âIda, why are you siding with them? What did I say wrong?â
Ida glanced at him. âYour brother is here, so behave yourself.â
Byran frowned. âMy brother is here, and I do respect him, but I wonât deny our relationship just because heâs here.â
Ida raised an eyebrow. âOur relationship?â
Byran was getting anxious. âWhat do you mean, âour relationshipâ? Didnât you admit that I was your boyfriend the other day?â