“Calm down,” Spencer says, kissing Finn on the lips. “We’re going to have to cut our evening short.”
“What happened? I told you that leaving her with Ms. Cook and Ms. Brandy was a bad idea. They didn’t lose her, did they? Is she sick?”
“You left her with Ms. Brandy and Ms. Cook? What were youthinking?” Jasper pipes up. “I mean, not that it matters to me who watches the spy.”
Spencer rolls his eyes. We all know Jasper has a soft spot for the nugget, even if he’s not ready to admit it. “Shhhh, Finn, she’s fine,” Spencer says. “Ms. Cook just called, and apparently Ms. Brandy’s sciatica is flaring up. She said she‘can’t handle two babies’simultaneously, and if we don’t come back soon, she’s ‘going to duct tape someone’s mouth shut, and it won’t be Mazie’s.’”
“Well, that’s somewhat of a relief. But yeah, we should probably head home. Oh, shoot. Beckett rode with us.”
“You guys, it’s no big deal, I swear. I can walk home.” It’s two freaking blocks.
Spencer turns and looks out the window. The rain is coming down in sheets.
I sigh, maybe not.
“I’ll drive him home,” Dom says, magically appearing by my side and handing me a drink.
Another way for him to keep tabs on me. I wish he would keep tabs on me by fucking me. At least then I’d be left feeling satisfied instead of all pent up and frustrated from looking at his sexy ass. Did I tell you his muscles are fine as fuck?
I narrow my eyes. “Okay, whatever.Ifit’s still raining.”
“Our work here is done. Come on, let’s go see what our little girl is up to. We might even get home in time for you to read her a bedtime story.” Spencer pulls Finn up, wrapping his arms around him. “What do you say? Wanna go be all domestic and shit?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Finn says.
Barf… I’m gonna barf. These two are so sugary sweet and in love that four out of five dentists suggest staying away.
I’ll drive him home.
What the hell, Domenico? He lives two blocks from the bar. He doesn’t need a chauffeur.
I glance out the window. Rain needles the sidewalk, neon bleeding into puddles. Aunt Sofia would tan my hide if I let someone walk home in that. That’s all this is, I tell myself—basic decency. A ride, not a rescue. Definitely not an excuse to ask more about this Lucas guy.
Still… Beckett was wrecked today. And now he’s got Lucas coming to stay with him? That doesn’t track. If this guy hurt him, why open the door? Why make up the couch? Something in that story doesn’t add up, and it’s grinding at me like a pebble in my shoe. So yeah, I’ll drive him. It’s raining. I’m polite.
And maybe I’ll finally hear the part he keeps avoiding.
After I offered Beckett a ride, he stormed off and parked himself with Jules and Mira. Fantastic. Those three together? Always a bad idea with excellent execution. Last week, Mira and Beckett popped every key off Jaxon’s keyboard and put them back in the wrong order. I’ll admit it was funny. He spent a full hour on hold with tech support before herealized it.
I sigh, looking at my watch. This game of pool with Olly and Jasper is taking forever. I’m tired and feeling agitated.
Olly flaps a hand in front of my face. “Oh, Dom. Earth to Dom… Honey,” he calls over his shoulder. “What do we do when the big brooding Italian is broken?”
Jasper doesn’t miss a beat. “Easy. He’s got a ticklish spot just above his knee.”
He reaches out, and I catch his wrist midair. “Try it, and I’ll break every bone in your body.”
Olly squeezes himself between us. “Now, now.” He removes Jasper’s arm from my grip. “I really do enjoy Jasper’s bones. Some more than others.”
TMI, TMI.
Olly pats my chest. “I prescribe getting laid. I’ve heard that too much abstinence is terrible for mental health.”
I narrow my eyes and let out a low growl for effect. Olly squeaks and ducks behind Jasper. “See?” he whisper-shouts. “We are not at the joking stage of our friendship!”
“Baby, he’s harmless,” Jasper says, stepping in close like he wants proof. “He’s just a teddy bear, aren’t you, big guy?” He snaps his teeth at me because he has a death wish.
Olly’s eyes go wide. Self-preservation finally kicks in, and he tugs Jasper away by the elbow. “We’re going. We’re going.”
