AJ was walking down the staircase with ease. He had let Brynn in an hour ago to set up the layout of the mini buffet and the bar.
He took pride in his house, the chandelier that hung down in the open hall… the winding oak banister… the black and white marble floor… the table layered high with sandwich's… the trays filled with champagne glass filled with milk… the unmistakable aroma of peanut butter and jelly.
His head shook before he did a double take. Then he let out a horrified scream, causing the dozen waiters there to freeze. "Brynn!" He raged, flying down the steps, skipping several and nearly killing himself. "Brynn!"
Calmly, Brynn and another waitress stepped out from behind the door to the kitchen. "Yes, AJ?" She asked nonchalantly, "Something wrong?"
"What did you do?!" He shouted in disbelief, his arms throwing wide to the appalling setup, making the girl beside her flinch.
Brynn looked at the table and the bar, her shoulders shrugged with ease. "What? You wanted your party catered. You said whatever I came up with was good." Her arm displayed the same area. "And there it is."
His eyes narrowed dangerously on her; "You did this on purpose, didn't you?" He rasped harshly. "Because I missed our lunch date."
The girl next to her gave a frightened look between the two before taking off to where her co-workers were while Brynn kept her gaze level with his and refused to answer. "I told you I had business!" AJ explained tightly through clenched teeth. "I had no choice. I tried like hell to get out of it, but I couldn't. I apologized for it as well!"
She still didn't move or answer. AJ snarled and turned to the waiters, "Leave us."
Startling them, and without confirmation from Brynn, they were gone in a rush of stomping feet.
"Tell me the truth now, Brynn." AJ demanded pointedly.
She folded her arms in front of her; "Well, you do seem to have the misguided illusion that I want to be alone with you." Her smile quirked coldly, "So let me clear that up for you, AJ, I don't."
His stare became confused; "Did I miss something here?" He asked quietly. "Because I was for sure I wasn't getting the signals mixed up. We were attracted to each other earlier."
Brynn's smile tightened, "No, they weren't mixed up," she started slowly, "Until you got mixed up."
He shook his head, "What are you talking about?"
Rolling her eyes she started to walk off, only to be stopped by AJ grabbing her arm, "No, talk to me. What's going on here?"
Her eyes hardened, "You dated my sister, built her up, making her all these promises, then started ditching her. When you wanted to "get back together" you ditched her again." She laughed bitterly, "Then you thought you could have me. I mean, I am the older sister, right? So I would automatically accept it. You could pass her off as an infatuation and thought her immaturity was cute for a while, but wanted something more…"
"Refined?" He gritted out.
She glared at him, "Your words, not mine."
AJ shook his head fiercely, "No, not my words. I'm only using the words you're shoving down my throat!"
She stepped back, but he kept his hold on her arm. "I'm not shoving anything at you that you didn't shove at me and my sister!" She hissed sharply between clenched teeth. "And you're not even man enough to own up to it all!"
"Get your stuff and your people, and get out." AJ ordered quietly. "I don't want you here."
Brynn faltered for a moment, then straightened. "Done." She was turning away again when she tossed over her shoulder, "Don't think I won't do anything to you if you hurt my sister again."
AJ shook his head; "I don't even know her." He whispered.
She laughed bitterly and walked into the kitchen. They were cleaned out in less then twenty minutes.