My jaw flexes as I button my shirt—and realize halfway down I’m off by one.
Of course I am.
“Fuck,” I mutter, yanking it open and starting over.
That’s when my door swings wider without a knock.
“Hey, Dad—whoa.”Maddox pauses in the doorway like he just walked into a crime scene.“Why do you look so intense?”
“What?”I snap automatically, then catch sight of myself.
Shirt half undone.Collar crooked.Tie draped around my neck like a noose.
“Shit,” I growl, looking down at the misbuttoned mess.
I close my eyes, drag a hand down my face, and start again.
Maddox strolls in like he owns the place—which, technically, he will someday, the arrogant little bastard.
He’s dressed like he just came from the office.
Clean.Sharp.
The same broad shoulders and dark hair as me, just with less wear around the eyes.
“Uh, I just came by to drop off the contracts for the new development,” he says, casual as hell.“Site manager is a dick, but he’s a stickler for rules, and I respect that.”
“Yeah?”I grunt, focusing on the buttons like my life depends on them.“Well, he better be.We’re paying him enough.”
Maddox leans against my dresser, arms folded, watching me with that look he used to give me when he was twelve and I’d come home late smelling like whiskey and frustration.
A look that says way too much.
Like he wants to shout,I’m not buying this act, old man.Something’s up.
“So,” he says, dragging the word out.“Big date?”
I go still.Not much.
Just enough for my reflection to give me away.
“This ain’t a creek, son,” I say flatly.“Don’t go fishin’ in here.”
He grins.
“Come on.It’s been years since I’ve seen you look nervous before going out.Who’s the lucky chick?”
I cut my eyes to him.Warning.
He waggles his eyebrows like he enjoys testing my patience.
I exhale hard through my nose, adjust my cuffs, and mutter the truth like it’s a confession.
“Kelly McCrae.”
Maddox’s face lights up with pure, obnoxious delight.
“No way.”He straightens.“That blonde babe finally said yes?”
