“Good night, Griffy.”
His smile blooms into something way too radiant for this time of night. I make a mental note to use the nickname again.
“Night, Gravesy.” His hazel eyes meet mine and linger for a few seconds before he shakes his head, turns around, and softly pulls the door closed. I’m shuffling toward the attached bathroom when I hear him shout, “Sure hope you don’t snore!”
I giggle.
Moving in with my brother’s best friend may have been one of my more impulsive decisions, but I think it’ll work out just fine. Maybe it’ll be fun to live with a guy when there are no romantic feelings involved.
As long as he doesn’t leave the toilet seat up.
four
GRIFFIN
“There he is!”Maddox slaps my back hard, his face lit up with a smile. My best friend has been in a much better mood since winning his girl back a few days ago. We’re out at a club, celebrating them.
“Hey, man.” I pull him into a hug and grin at Isla. She watches us with a soft, affectionate expression. I reach out a hand and motion for her to get in on the lovefest. “Get in here, Teach. We need a group hug.”
Isla chuckles, but jumps right in. Maddox and I smoosh her between us, and her chuckles turn into full-blown laughter. “You guys are suffocating me!”
“All right, all right.” Mira grabs my arm and tugs me back. “Don’t suffocate my friend. I just got her back.” My roomie sticks her tongue out at me. Little shit.
“First round’s on me,” Sebastian says to the cheers of our group. A smiling server follows behind him with a full tray of beers balanced on her palm. Her blue eyes find me and do a slow inspection of my body.
“Looks like someone’s checking you out.” Mira waggles her dark eyebrows. She looks beautiful tonight. I may be her roommate, but I’m not dead. Even if I can’t act on anything with her, I will always notice a beautiful woman. Her dark hair is curled and sleek, smoky shadow and pink blush accentuating her green eyes. And the dress Mira’s wearing?
Fuck. Me. The skintight, slinky black number hugs every single one of her perfect curves. Objectively speaking. Her curves are objectively perfect. Anyone would agree.
My dick has been straining at my zipper since the moment she sauntered out of her room in that little getup. Which is inconvenient, because Madds will kick my ass if he notices I have a stiffy for his little sister.
“Huh?”
Mira giggles. “The waitress, Griffy. She’s checking you out. She’s pretty.”
“Is she?” I shrug. “Didn’t notice.” And I didn’t. Which is weird.
Logan slaps me on the back. “How the hell didn’t you notice? That woman is stunning.” His gray eyes make a sweep of her body as he smooths his dark-blond hair away from his face.
“You should talk to her, then.” It’s not like I calleddibsor anything. Besides, you can’tdibsa human being.
“You sure?” Logan squints, his attention pinging between me and Mira. Whatever he’s thinking, he needs to stop. There’s nothing going on with the two of us. Nothing at all. And nothing ever will happen. Because she’s my roommate. And my best friend’s little sister. And I don’t want to die or have my balls chopped off.
I’m kinda attached to them.
“Yeah, man. I just want to hang out with everyone. I’m not looking to hook up tonight.”
“Suit yourself.” Logan shrugs. And when the blonde server walks away, he follows her. I have no doubt he’ll take her home when her shift is over.
“Who wants to dance?” Mira grabs hold of Isla’s hand and drags her onto the floor. The guys and I share a look before following them. There’s no way Maddox is letting Isla out of his sight tonight. Not after everything he went through to get her back. And when some scrawny guy with a patchy beard starts making his way over to dance with the ladies, Madds levels him with an impressive glare.
We dance as a group—even Byrne, after he gets the server’s number—drinking and laughing together. I haven’t had this much fun in a while. Between my guys and Mira and Isla, I’m completely at ease. I don’t have to pretend or be on my game or do anything other than be myself.
Maybe there’s something to be said for going out and not trying to pick up women. Because I don’t care if I’m dancing like an idiot, and neither do any of the people I’m with. I’m not trying to woo anyone or charm them into my bed. It’s freeing. And when women do approach our group and try to dance with me or Bash or Byrne, I choose to ignore them.
“I’m having so much fun,” Mira shouts in my ear as we all jump up and down to an energetic song with a driving beat. The dark hair around her temples is slick with sweat, and her cheeks are flushed. She glances at her brother and Isla, who have their arms wrapped around each other as they sway and grind to the beat. “It’s so good to see them back together.”
“It is,” I agree. I have to lean in close to be heard, and the scent of her jasmine perfume hits me square in the chest. Why does she have to smell so good? “They belong together.”
