“I was being a gentleman,” Caleb argued. “She’s having a rough day, so I offered her some of my chocolate. I wanted to see her smile.” He turned to me again. “You really do have a fantastic smile.”
“I thought you were giving me all of your chocolate.” I couldn’t help but grin. “Except that one bite you stole.”
A deep, gruff laugh rumbled from the gorgeous man. He was already impossibly handsome, but when he smiled…damn. Dimples and everything.
My insides reacted in ways I did not approve of.
“Ah, jeez. Eric, you’ve done it again.” Caleb groaned. “You’re stealing the show. How am I supposed to compete when you’ve got a full head of hair?”
My cheeks flamed.
Eric only smiled more, resting a steady hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “Caleb, no one can compete with you. All the ladies love you.”
He threw a sly wink my way, and the world tilted.
My emotions were a messy tangle—lusting after a stranger, joking with a sick kid, while my father lay alone in another room dying. No wonder I felt like I was splitting down the middle.
“Yeah,” I said. “Definitely a charmer.”
“So…” Caleb leaned in. “What’s got you so bummed? Tell me who stole your puppy so I can kick their butt.”
Both he and Eric gave me that same protective frown, ready to fight whatever monster I named. And for a second, it hit me how surreal this was. These two wore their hearts openly, while I was hiding behind made-up medical diagnoses.
Sad? Must be depression.
Chest pain? Could be a heart condition.
Never mind my dying father or the fact that I’d left the most important person in my life behind. Easier to pretend my body was falling apart than admit my life was.
“I’m just missing someone.” They were honest words. Too honest, maybe.
“Someone male or someone female?” Caleb asked with a grin.
“Someone almost as charming as you. And I’m worried he’s probably sitting at home missing me. Or worse, he’s not missing me at all. Maybe he’s busy having the time of his life while I’m away.”
Eric’s jaw tightened, something dark flashing in his eyes. “If he’s not missing you, he’s a fool.”
The sharp edge in his voice caught me off guard, and the sting of his words hit fast. Criticism of Hunter always lit my fuse. Nobody got to judge him. Not without going through me. Except Eric didn’t understand Hunter wasn’t just some random guy. He was my son.
“No—” I tried to correct him.
“Eric. Not cool,” Caleb cut in. “The lady needs cheering up. We can be nice, right?”
I tried again. “It’s okay, but?—”
“Sorry. Caleb’s right. That was out of line.” Eric’s voice softened, but his intense gaze held mine, pinning me in place. “And it’s not my business.”
My pulse spiked as I broke eye contact, my face flaming brighter.
“Hey! I didn’t even ask your name.” Caleb exclaimed before I could try to speak again.
“Jamie.” I cleared my throat. “Well…Jamison, technically. But everyone just calls me Jamie. Verdict’s still out on whether I like it.”
Perfect, now I was rambling.
“Well, Jamie,” Caleb said warmly, “it’s a lovely name. Suits you. I’m Caleb. That big idiot is my brother, Eric. I make no apologies for him. He’s acting a bit douchey, but usually he’s a great guy.” He smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
“Okay, hotshot.” Eric rested his hand on Caleb’s shoulder again. “We need to get going. Mom and Dad will worry if you’re gone too long.”
