On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

many of us she was always looking for help in the kitchen."
    "I can't believe you were home that often to help. I remember you always being on the go, coming from some athletic practice of some sort, going out with your friends, or making out with some blonde on the sofa in your parents' living room."
    He grinned. "Those were some good days. High school was fun."
    "Not for me. I was so worried my grades wouldn't be good enough to get me into the right college. When I wasn't studying, I was usually doing something awkward or embarrassing."
    "Like what?" he asked, setting down his fork.
    "I don't need to relive those experiences with you."
    "Come on. I'm curious."
    "I got my sleeve caught in my locker and I couldn't get the combination lock open for about ten minutes. Pamela Danvers and her little gang of cheerleaders stood there and laughed at me. Finally, Emma came to my rescue."
    "That sounds like Emma."
    "She was great, but she wasn't always around, like when I stayed up all night studying for my AP test and then I fell asleep in the library during study hall. I missed the test, and when I woke someone had drawn pictures on my face."
    He laughed. "That is a good one."
    "It may be funny. It was not funny back then. High school for me was not the same as it was for you. You were the king of the school."
    "No, that was Burke."
    "Then you were the rebel prince. Everyone liked your confidence and your daring."
    "Both got me into some trouble."
    "You always landed on your feet. No matter the odds, somehow you came out on top."
    The light in his gaze dimmed. "Maybe I used up my good luck back then."
    He was thinking about Kyle again. "Aiden –"
    "Don't," he said, with a definitive shake of his head. "I know you mean well, Sara, but this is my problem. And you have enough problems of your own to deal with."
    As he finished speaking, the side door opened, and Emma walked into the room.
    Surprise flashed through her eyes as she saw them. "Well, this looks…cozy."
    "Aiden made breakfast," Sara said quickly, not liking the gleam in Emma's eyes. "I was going to go out, but—"
    "But I insisted," Aiden said. "Sorry, there's none left, Em."
    "No worries. I ate hours ago." Emma sat down at the table.
    "You look tired," Sara said, seeing the shadows under her friend's eyes. "Were you working all night?"
    "For a good part of it."
    "What's the damage at St. Andrews?" Aiden asked.
    "Two classrooms gone, a couple of others in bad shape. Fire started in the kindergarten classroom with a can of gasoline and some rags. There was no forced entry, so someone had access to the school. The fact that this is the second fire at a school in less than a month is concerning."
    "Do you think they're connected?" Sara asked.
    "There are some similarities. But what's even more disturbing is that Sister Margaret is missing."
    "What?" Sara asked in surprise. She'd transferred to St Andrew's in the fourth grade and Sister Margaret had been the most popular teacher in the school.
    "Is her disappearance connected to the fire?" Aiden asked.
    "It hasn't been determined yet if there's a link." She tilted her head, giving them both a thoughtful look. "So what did I miss around here?"
    "Nothing," Sara said quickly.
    "Nothing," Aiden agreed.
    "Yeah, right," Emma said, giving them both a suspicious look. "You know, I always wondered about –"
    "I should go," Sara cut in, getting to her feet.
    "You still need my uncle's phone number," Aiden told her as he stood up. "I'll get it."
    "Thanks." Alone with Emma, she was acutely aware of the curiosity in her friend's eyes. "Okay, I can see you want to say something so say it."
    Emma's gaze turned somber. "I love my brother, but I don’t think you should get involved with him."
    "I'm not."
    "Sara—"
    "I'm not," she repeated. "I came to get your uncle's phone number. Aiden said he might be able to give me a bid on fixing my dad's house. Aiden was making breakfast and offered to share. That's it. I got over Aiden a long time ago."
    "Did you?"
    "Yes," she said. "I told you that last night."
    "I hope that's true, because…" Emma paused, glancing toward the door leading into the hallway. She lowered her voice a notch as she said, "I love Aiden. He's my brother. But he's not good with women. He doesn't have relationships. And now he's in a dark place. I don't want him to hurt you."
    "I can take care of myself, Emma."
    "You may be a tough lawyer on the outside, but I think on the inside you're still that sweet girl with a