“Yeah, really nice. Cool with everyone. Smart too. She’s in all the advanced classes, and does student government. Last year, she organized the school fundraiser, and they made the most money they had in the history of the school.”
Roxanne’s eyes softened. “Is she pretty?”
“God, man.” His voice hitched. “So frickin’ pretty. Like your kind of pretty.”
She chuckled, sharing a look with Jonah. Roxanne had taken the compliment exactly how it was intended.
“Kind, smart and pretty? That’s impressive. You’re a lucky guy.”
Holden’s chest widened, and he sat up straighter in his chair. “Yeah.”
There was a stretch of silence before Holden shot up from his seat and started gathering the garbage. Usually, he had to be told to clean up. When Roxanne reached for her paper plate, his brother swiped it from her hands.
“I’ll clean up. It’s the least I can do since you guys bought dinner.” He piled the plates in the trash. “You can head upstairs. I’ll lock up.”
Jonah and Roxanne shared the same reaction. They both stilled. Jonah contemplated his choices. He could drive her home. Or?
“I’m going to call a car service.”
The fuck you are.There was no way he’d allow her to be driven alone in the middle of the night by some stranger. Before Jonah had time to argue, Holden jumped in.
“It’s late. Why don’t you just stay here?”
“Well,” she bit her lip, glancing over at Jonah.
If she wanted to go home, he’d take her. But her staying didn’t bother Holden, virtually giving permission. For selfish reasons, he liked the idea of waking up with her in the morning. That had been his original plan. But? As an adult semi-role model, was it the best showing allowing a woman to spend the night?
I’m thirty years old. I don’t need permission.
“It’s really late.” Holden’s tone was off, and he looked at his brother. All semblance of joking vanished. He shrugged. “Not a great time to be on the road if you don’t have to be.”
Jonah read between the lines. Their parents and brother were killed in a car accident late at night. Holden didn’t bring it up often, but he’d always been a bit nervous when Cord was out too late. Some scars were invisible.
Jonah cleared his throat and turned to Roxanne. “You good with staying over?”
Her eyes widened. He suspected she hadn’t been expecting the invitation.
“If it’s okay with everyone else.”
“It’s fine with me,” Holden blurted.
Then it was settled. Roxanne was sleeping over.
Chapter Twelve
Well, this is awkward.
Roxanne had every intention, or rather hoped, she’d be spending the night with Jonah. However, she wasn’t expecting a slumber party. When Holden showed up, she thought for sure she’d be going home for the night.I guess not.
Holden had finished cleaning up in record time and followed them through the living room. When they reached the stairs, Jonah waved her ahead of him. She stepped on the stairs and noticed Holden quickly advance, but Jonah rested his hand on his brother's chest and stepped behind her. It was a strategic move. She may have been wearing panties, but she’d still be giving Holden a show had he been directly behind her.
She reached the landing, heading to Jonah’s room at the end of the hall. She waved to Holden, who stared back at her.
“Night, Holden.”
“Hey, do you like pancakes or waffles?”
She turned to catch Jonah rolling his eyes. Clearly, she was missing something.
