“You’re going to harass Jeremy, aren’t you?” he asked, spreading mayo on his burger before adding ketchup to his fries.
“Damn straight.” Ben nodded. “Too bad you didn’t re-up when your contract ran out this spring. You could’ve joined in.”
A smile tugged his lips. “Almost wish I had.”
His buddy lifted a brow. “I can pull some strings and get you back in.”
“No thanks,” he said, lifting his burger. “I put in enough years. Besides, it’s a young man’s game. I’m nearing my mid-thirties.”
“Hey, I’m the same age as you, pal.”
He snickered. “Yeah, but you’re full-time. It’s your career. Mine is construction, and it’s time I gave it my sole focus.”
“You’re right,” Ben agreed. “But you sure are going to miss out on some fun this weekend. Unless you plan to invite Sophia to your bigger, better hot tub…”
Swallowing a curse, he eye-rolled his buddy. “You’re an ass.”
“Your sister happens to like my ass.”
“Christ.” He set his burger down in disgust. “What’d I tell you about that?”
The asshole laughed. “Sorry, can’t resist. You make it so damn easy.”
“Yeah, easy this.” He flipped the idiot off, which only made him laugh harder.
Ethan walked in the door and immediately shook his head. “My brother’s being his normal, annoying self, I see.”
Ryder nodded as the oldest Wyne brother approached.
“He’s family, I have to put up with him,” Ethan teased. “You, on the other hand, can avoid the abuse.”
He shrugged. “Guess I’m just a masochist.”
But in truth, Ben was a great friend. He’d had his back in battle, and on the home front. Hell, ever since kindergarten. His buddy had been there for him and his family when Ryder’s mother had died in a car accident when he was eighteen. The poor guy had actually seen it in one of the visions he sometimes got. Ben had also been there for him when Jinan had chosen to fulfill a family duty and marry someone else.
No, Ben might be an idiot at times, but he was a solid friend.
“You have to be a masochist to put mayo on your burger.” The guy’s face wrinkled in disgust.
He dipped a fry in the leftover mayo, and holding Ben’s gaze, he popped it into his mouth.
“Ah, seriously?” Gagging, his buddy pushed his half eaten lunch aside. “Now who’s being annoying?”
He turned to Ethan and grinned. “Care for some meatloaf?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Ryder moved over to make room for him, then laughed when Ben snatched his plate back.
“Not so fast. I can still eat while disgusted,” his buddy claimed.
Ethan smirked. “Nothing comes between my brother and his food. Hell, you’ll probably still eat when you’re dead.”
Ben nodded. “True.”
Their laughter echoed through the restaurant, and Ryder was grateful to them for lightening his mood. No sense in letting Colarusso Construction ruin his lunch. They may have won the Moleski account, but he was determined they wouldn’t win the next one.
“So…” Ben quirked a brow at his brother. “Were you present when Ryder was reunited with Sophia?”
