Milo leans down. “What was that?”
“The check, we need to pay the bill.”
“Mr. Costa has already taken care of the bill.” Thewaitress backs out of the room, her arms piled high with plates and glasses.
We make our way through the restaurant, seeing several other private rooms, and the normal tables and booths you’d expect to find. Ares is standing near a bar not too far from the host’s podium. Mia pushes out of the ladies’ room as we approach.
Not even acknowledge her, Dante folds his fingers over mine as we continue out the door.
Milo hangs back, stopping at Ares’s side. “We’ll wait in the car.” I don’t hear Ares’s response, or if he even had one, as the door closes behind us.
I draw in a deep breath once we’re out in the open. “Sorry, I let her get to me,” I admit as we make our way over to Dante’s car.
“Mia can be a bitch.” Ollie shrugs like it’s enough of an explanation. He opens the passenger door and pushes the seat forward to climb in the back. Ducking my head, I followafterhim.
“I still shouldn’t have done that, it was too risky.”
“You’re still learning, nobody blames you Laura,” Milo soothes as he settles into the front seat. Dante doesn’t start the engine, but he cranks down his window to get a little air in the car.
“I’m excited to get back in the house. I dismissed it too fast last time.” Ollie changes the subject as he leans forward, folding his arms on the front seat. His right arm lands on Milo’s shoulder and he gives a little squeeze. “Think we could clear out a room or two, pile a bunch of stuff downstairs or something so we can get a better idea of the space?”
Milo nods. “We could do that, the lower level wasprettybare.” He turnsa bitmore to face the middle, and Ollie’s hand slides closer to his chest. “It would make it easy for the movers to get everything out anyway, those front stairs would be a bitch to get the furniture up and down.”
“Think we could convince Ares to spend the night there tonight? Then we could be there tomorrow and make sure the movers finish.” Ollie runs his hand over Milo’s pectoral in a caress.
“Wouldn’t count on it, you know how he likes everythingjustso, unless…” All three guys look at each other, speaking in some silent code.
“Unless, Laura asks him,” Ollie finishes. ConfirmingI was right about their hive mind meld.
“It would be easier than waking up super early and driving out here to meet the movers,” Milo adds, being all reasonable.
I roll my eyes, not nearly as confident in my ability to convince Ares as they seem to be. “Where would we sleep?” I don’t want to sleep in a stranger’s bed.I suppress a shudder.
“We could getsomesleeping bags,” Ollie quickly replies.
“Or we could go get the mattress from the house,” Dante interjects. I’m not excited to sleep on the floor, so his plan sounds good. I’m not afraid to admit I’ve become a little spoiled since living with the guys. “I bet we could even get our dads to bring them over, we wouldn’t even have to drive back to Canton tonight. You know Mom will want to see it anyway.”
Milo nods his head, agreeing. A shadow falls over the car before Ares taps on the driver’s side window. Dante cranks it down the rest of the way.
“You want to follow me over?”
“Oh yeah, that sounds good. Laura, why don’t you ride with him,” Ollie suggests a little too quickly. Ares’s eyes narrow, scanning each of the guys suspiciously. He knows they’re up to something.
I shake my head, thinking that Ollie has a lot to learn about subtlety. Ares’s eyes land on mine, assessing. His lips lift on one corner, before he schools his features into something sterner. “Well, come on little sacrifice. I know there’s no way they’d offer you up without a reason. Let’s say they’ve piqued my curiosity.”
Dante drops his head back to the headrest and groans. Milo lets out a little chuckle as he glances over at Ollie in accusation. Ollie scrunches up his lips, and states, “Too much.” He nods, understanding his error.
* * *
Using my shirtsleeve, I wipe across my brow. It’s almost seventy-five degrees today and I’m feeling the heat. Dante and Milo lost their shirts over an hour ago. Watching them use brute strength to lug around a bunch of furniture is enough to make me sweat, but at least I can blame the temperature.
“Got another one.” Ollie’s voice echoes down into the garage.
Milo stands from his crouched position as he releases the legs of the couch, a light sheen of sweat coating his chest and arms. “Coming,” he hollers back. “I got this one if you want to grab a drink,” he adds, talking to Dante. He lookscompletelyrelaxed. It’s probably the first time I’ve seen him using his ability so much.
Dante rises, a little slower than Milo, but he doesn’t look nearly as exhausted as I feel just watching them. I’ve only been carrying the smaller stuff up and down the stairs and my legs feel like jello. He nods, and replies, “Ares should be back soon, you want anything?”
“I’ll take a Gatorade, orange if he has it.” Milo bounds up the stairs two at a time.
