“The one that says you’re picturing my brother naked.”
Heat flares up my neck. “I was not—”
Notentirely,anyway. Although…
Ren barks out a laugh, choking on her water. “Oh my god, is your friend hooking up with your brother? Man, I love small-town life.”
Theo’s mouth tilts up, but he says nothing as his eyes flick between me and Aiden.
I groan, scrubbing a hand over my face. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
Aiden claps me on the shoulder. “Relax, man. If you’re good to him, we’re good. But if you hurt him…”
Ren grins menacingly. “Oh, yay, I could help with this.” She turns wicked eyes on me. “I’ll pierce something you’ll regret.”
I don’t know if I should laugh or be afraid, so I deflect—far,faraway from the topic of me thinking filthy thoughts about my best friend’s brother and needles through my nipples…. or other places.
“Hey, Theo, did you really tattoo your own ribs?” I ask.
He lifts one dark brow. “Yeah. Did a lot of my own work.”
“I can’t decide if you’re badass or unhinged.”
“Oh, definitely both,” he says with a casual shrug. “You two off today?”
“Nah, I’m heading home soon to do admin. Aiden’s the boss in the gym today.” I’ve so much to do that I can’t put off anymore. Website updates, payroll, schedules. If I go into the gym I’ll get pulled onto the floor, and none of it will get done.
“Meaning there’ll be a decent playlist in action for a change,” Aiden says smugly.
“I highly doubt that,” I retort. “Theo, tell him eighties music is classic. Everyone loves it.”
Theo presses his lips into a thin line and shakes his head before snorting.
“For fuck’s sake, not you too.” I look eagerly at Ren, my eyes pleading with her to back me up.
“Uh, sorry. More of a heavy metal girl myself,” she says sympathetically.
I cross my arms, muttering, “Nobody appreciates me.”
Aiden swings a heavy arm around my shoulder, “I do… just not your music.”
We end up talking for a bit longer about random shit—Aiden asking to see Theo’s portfolio, Theo talking about his bike, and Ren making fun of him for being a “cliché,” her words, not mine.
Eventually, we head out to get the day started. We grab coffees on the way, and Aiden tags along to Evergreen, wanting to see Gabe before heading to Anchor Strength.
By the time we get there, the late morning sun filters through the windows, turning the shelves to gold. Gabe is behind the counter, bent over a stack of books, and my stomach flips just looking at him.
He doesn’t notice us right away, too focused on helping an older woman. When he finally glances my way, his eyes flick wide before lighting up, moss green locking on me like he’s pleased to see me. My mouth goes dry.
I lean against the counter. “Don’t mind me. Just came to ogle the handsome bookstore owner.”
He goes pink immediately, fumbling with the register as the customer chuckles. When she leaves, he ducks his head, muttering, “You can’t say things like that in front of customers…” He peers past me and smiles at Aiden, who giveshim a nod. I smile at their silent communication. “Or my brother.”
“Why not? You look so pretty when you blush.”
He bites his lip, trying not to smile, and my chest aches so bad, it feels like it might split.
Behind me, Aiden groans dramatically. “You guys realize I’m standing here, right?”
