“How much?”
“Fifty dollars.”
I dropped my gaze, disappointed.
“I meant fifty dollars times four,” he tried again.
My smile broadened. Now he was talking.
“And then I got you a heated blanket.”
He tossed it at me, and I immediately rubbed it against my cheek, purring.
“And here are the obligatory flowers. Lilies, your favorite.”
“Okay.” I nodded, willing to entertain the possibility of forgiveness.
“Finally, the donuts from the shop open nights with the line that goes down the block. I had to whore myself out to the group of girls at the front of the line to buy these for you… but it was worth feeling all dirty inside because you deserve them.”
He handed over the box with a gallant bow.
“Oh, and I got a dozen in case you wanted to share them.”
“I don’t.”
“I just thought because there were a dozen…”
I hit him with a glare.
“Alrighty,” he laughed. “That would be a no.”
His expression shifted. “I’m sorry, Grace. It was so shitty of me not to tell you. I didn’t want you to say no, so I went behind your back. And then for some reason, my brain thought it was completely reasonable to tell you when you got home. It never once occurred to me that you might happen upon my deceit before I had a chance to explain myself. I’m not very smart. You know that. And don’t be mad at Jake or anyone else in the family. They’re all mindless enablers. They know not what they do.”
“I didn’t do shit,” Jake said.
“Shush,” Quinn silenced him before turning back to me. “This is one hundred percent my fault and if you don’t want to share a donut with me, I’ll understand.”
“I don’t.”
“Oh, okay. I thought maybe you changed your mind after my heartfelt apology, but that’s fine.”
“I forgive you, but only because I know Dad dropped you on your head as a kid.”
“So many times.” He nodded.
“All right,” I sighed, holding my arms out to him. “You may hug me now.”
“That’s it?” he asked, bending down to give me a squeeze, plopping a kiss on my cheek. “Jesus, that was way easier than I thought.”
“Only because I softened her up before you got here,” Jake said. “So if anyone gets a donut, it should be me.”
“You can have one.” I opened the box for Jake. “But only because I drank your royal bourbon.”
Jake bit into the doughy pastry and made a show of its excellence for Quinn.
Looking between my two brothers, I was struck by their combined star power, both so handsome and talented and in demand. They had better things to do with their time than to tend to their little sister, yet here they were, coming to my rescue when I needed them most.
I opened my arms to both of them. “Come here, you two.”
