“Really?” Michelle’s brows shot up in surprise. “I’d have thought you’d pay someone to do that. A professional, you know? Someone who knows about numbers and all that.”
“No one knows my business like I do. And I do have a masters degree, so…” He shrugged and broke off a bit of the cookie, then popped it into his mouth.
“I’m sure Blake can help you with the numbers.”
“At this point, we’re keeping our personal lives and careers separate. Besides, I deal with multimillion-dollar corporations. I’m sure Jeremy has a good accountant to handle his taxes.” The annoyance in Blake’s voice let on that he didn’t much like his sister’s questions either.
They hadn’t spoken too much about Blake’s job on their dates. Jeremy knew he worked hard and was a CPA, but as always, hearing about his job was impressive as hell.
They sat for a few moments drinking their coffee. Evan took several cookies and wolfed them down, ignoring Michelle’s glare of disapproval. “If I don’t get any now, Henry will eat them all. It’s a survival tactic.”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “Like you need an excuse to eat cookies.”
“Wouldn’t want all your hard work to go to waste. Or end up crumbled in Henry’s backpack. I consider it a public service.” With deliberation, he picked up another cookie and ate it in three big bites.
Jeremy liked Evan a whole lot.
“I’m ignoring you,” Michelle said and turned her back on her husband to start questioning him again. “Do you have any siblings?”
“I have an older sister, Rochelle, who’s married, and my younger brother, Noah. He’s a psychologist and has a radio advice talk show for gay men,One Call Away.”
Blake gaped at him. “That’s your brother?” He set his cup on the table and shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t know that.”
“Uh, yeah. Didn’t I mention that?” They hadn’t really talked all that much on their dates. Whenever he got Blake alone, he wanted to jump his bones. The guy turned him upside down, even after three weeks.
“No, you didn’t.” Blake nudged him. “I’ve listened to him. He’s great with people.”
“Yeah. Noah is my hero. We’re very close.”
Michelle had been watching the two of them, and Jeremy couldn’t help but ask her a question. “You look like you still have something you want to say.”
“Trust me, she does,” Blake muttered.
“Oh, you stop it. All I want is for you to be happy. I’ve been waiting a long time for you to meet someone. You’re a wonderful guy and—”
“Stop, please.”
Jeremy bit back a smile at Blake’s embarrassment.
“What?” Bewildered, her gaze traveled between him and Blake. “I’m only telling the truth. A guy would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend.”
“I agree,” Jeremy said. “That’s why I snapped him up before anyone else could.”
“Good answer. Here.” Michelle pushed the plate to him. “You can have another cookie.”
Evan protested. “Him you let eat, but I, your loving husband, get the evil eye.”
This scenario was so reminiscent of his sister and her husband, Max, Jeremy felt completely at home and forgot to be nervous.
Michelle poured them all more coffee as she spoke. “I may have left the house when I was young, but I’m still the older sister, and I worry about you. There are so many people out there who’re only interested in a good time and not a relationship. I know you had it rough and—”
“I’m fine.” Blake cut her off. “And Jeremy and I, we’re taking it slow.”
Rough—what? Jeremy shot a glance over to Blake, who sat stiffly in his chair, his eyes downcast and mouth set in a frown. He’d never mentioned anything about having problems. A bit preoccupied at times, Blake had been nothing but sweetly responsive every time they’d been together. Jeremy rushed in to fill the tense silence.
“It may have started out as a pick-up, but we’ve seen or talked to each other almost every night since our first date. I think it qualifies as moving beyond a good time to something a little more serious.”
“You do?”
