Jackson: She wanted to kiss Jeff, I think.
Miles: Did she say that?
Jackson: No, but I was standing there.
Noah: …
Ethan: …
Miles: …
Noah: Please tell me that wasn’t as creepy as it came across.
Jackson: She locked herself out of her place. I was letting her back in. Can you all meet up? This will be easier in person.
Noah: I’m down.
Ethan: Me too.
Miles: Emma is in bed. Come to my place. Bring beer.
Jackson backed out of the driveway and stole one last glance at Mia’s house, where he swore he saw her watching from the window.
Jackson,Ethan, and Noah sat around Miles’s kitchen table while he finished prepping a charcuterie board. They each had a full glass of beer, courtesy of the local bar where Ethan had stopped to get a few growlers.
Miles walked over to the table and set the board down in the middle before taking a seat.
“Dude, do you just keep this stuff lying around?” Ethan asked.
“Of course. I’m a chef. I’m always prepared for company.”
“This looks great, Miles. Thanks,” Noah said. Jackson and Ethan followed suit. Miles just tipped his head in acknowledgment and took a drink of his beer.
“So, what’s the plan?” Miles asked.
Jackson shook his head. “I don’t know. Should I just tell her?”
“You need a grand gesture,” Noah said.
Ethan nodded. “Yep. She’s into books. That’s what the hero does, right? She’ll want the grand gesture.”
“I have to have a grand gesture just to tell her I think I like her?”
Miles snorted. “Think, my ass.”
Jackson shot him a dirty look.
“Crash her next date,” Ethan said.
“That seems excessive.”
“No, Ethan has a good point. She’s going out with Jeff, right? I could let Jeff in on it,” Noah said.
Jackson raised an eyebrow. “He wouldn’t be upset if I tried to steal Mia away just when they started dating?”
Miles and Ethan looked at Noah. He just shrugged. “Nah. I think he’s good.” Then he took a long pull of his beer.
Jackson looked between his brothers, eyebrows furrowed. They were all acting weird. Why would someone who was actively dating Mia just roll over and let another man tell her his feelings… while on a date?
