“I don’t give a fuckabout them. If they don’t want him, we take him somewhere else or launch him ourselves. But I’m not going back to work before Amelia has hers back,” Grey declares, his voice filled with a fierce determination that both impresses and worries me.
“That could lead to heavy and expensive repercussions,” I point out.
They could have us by the balls for using them like this without being able to get their share of the money. The thought sends a chill down my spine, but I can’t deny the appeal of Grey’s suggestion.
“We earned enough money over the years here, and I don’t care if I have to spend it to buy us out. We can live at Grandpa’s until we bring Jamie to the market, and after that, we’re millionaires anyway. Would you care? Paying the fee?” Grey asks, his eyes searching mine.
I shrug, thinking about how I wouldn’t be able to send money to my parents for a few months. But I’ve already bought them an apartment, and they’re in a good place now, so they wouldn’t suffer too much. And he’s right—when we launch Jamie ourselves, we’ll have a way bigger piece of the cake. We didn’t start out that way because we needed Elysium’s resources. But now…
It’s risky, but when has that ever stopped us?
“If it’s only a fee and not legal action. No, it wouldn’t. I spent years of my life living off ramen. I don’t care about doing it again as long as we’re together,” I say, a grin spreading across my face.
Grey smirks. “Oh, shut up. You love ramen.”
“I loveyou, bro,” I say, giving him a playful nudge.
“Stop the sentimental shit… we’re in public.” Grey huffs, but there is amusement in his tone. I give him puppy dog eyes, making him roll his. “Love you, too, idiot,” he mutters.
“Knew it,” I tease, shoving a heaping forkful of spaghetti into my mouth.
Yep, mediocre.
Amelia and Oliver walk over to our table, their fingers intertwined. Oliver’s balancing a tray with two sandwiches, and they both have this dreamy, far-off look in their eyes. They settle into their seats, then Oliver passes Amelia her sandwich. She blushes and murmurs a soft thank you, making Oliver’s ears turn a brilliant shade of red. I can’t help but grin.
Holy shit.
Could it be what I think it is?
I flash a knowing smile at Grey. “Looks like yesterday’s late-night snack was cherries.”
Grey furrows his brow, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Are you having a stroke?” I tilt my head not-so-subtly toward the lovebirds. Amelia’s sitting right next to me, but she only has eyes for Oliver. “What in the world?” Grey asks, clearly not picking up what I’m putting down.
“Amelia popped Oliver’s cherry,” I announce with a grin, just before Amelia’s hand connects with my upper arm with a pretty forceful slap for her.
Ouch.
“Shut up,” she hisses, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Damn, I was spot-on.
I lean forward, trying to get a better look at Oliver. His ears have progressed from red to full-on fire-engine crimson, but there’s a smug little smile playing on his lips as he unwraps his sandwich.
“Well… congratulations?” I offer, feeling a bit out of my depth. “Should we… go out for dinner to celebrate?”
Amelia shoots me a quizzical look, and I can’t resist reaching out to cup her cheek and plant a quick peck on her lips. “What? I’m just a proud boyfriend-in-law.”
Grey’s eyes narrow as he focuses on us. “Are we that kind of official while beta testing?”
Amelia’s brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
Grey gestures vaguely. “I don’t know. This. PDA. By all of us.Here.”
“Aren’t you comfortable with it?” Amelia asks, a hint of concern in her voice.
That would be new.
Grey lets out a dry laugh. “Baby, I would lay you over the table right here, right now. I’m asking for your sake.”
