I contented myself looking through a binder of Cade’s work. The fact that people came in off the street and picked something random from a book to be put on their body forever always baffled me.
Sid wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my neck. “You thinking about getting some work done?” His mouth on my skin and warm body enveloping me was making it hard to form a coherent response.
I bit my lip, thinking. “I don’t have anything planned. I’m just not averse to getting something. What about you?”
“I’ll probably get more work done at some point,” he replied, stooping so that his chin was resting on my shoulder, his arms wrapped firmly around my waist.
My phone dinged with a text and he released me. “Piper,” I explained, reading her text as Caden emerged with a perky blonde in tow.
I lost the battle not to roll my eyes while fighting the lurch in my belly.
As if on cue, the blonde set her sights on Sid. “Hey, you,” she purred with far too much familiarity for my liking. “Where have you been hiding?”
Sid’s posture was stiff as he shot a quick glance to me before meeting her attempt at a seductive gaze. “Been busy.”
Her head cocked to the side as she studied me intently. “I know you—how do I know you?” she seemed to ask herself.
“We used to live together. She’s also one of my best friends,” Caden explained with a quick eye roll behind her back for my benefit.
“She’s also my girl.” Sid’s deep authoritative voice cut through the air like a knife.
Caden’s jaw dropped as the blonde’s expression soured.
Her eyes cut to me. “Nice to meet you,” she said stiffly, pulling her purse further up her shoulder. “Gotta run. Thanks, Cade.”
“See ya.” He waved dismissively as she made her way toward the door.
“Pleasant girl,” I commented dryly, watching as she walked down the sidewalk and out of sight.
Caden grinned, his eyes dancing between the two of us. “So you two finally went and made it official, huh?”
Sid slung an arm around me, grinning with a youthful joy I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen in him. “Yep.”
“Just please don’t break up.” Caden groaned dramatically, clasping his hands in prayer. “It’ll be even more awkward than watching you pretend you’re just friends for the past, well, forever.”
I snorted. “Yes, Cade, we’ll make sure we plan for your comfort wherever possible.”
“That’s all I ask,” he answered serenely.
Sid reached over and socked him in the shoulder. “You and Danny want to come up and hang out tomorrow? That place has amazing acoustics. We could play.”
Caden cocked a brow at his brother. “Oh, so you’re staying up there now, huh?”
Suddenly the walls became very interesting to me as I felt myself blush.
“For the time being,” Sid answered.
Caden looked at both of us, nodding thoughtfully. “Well, I don’t know about hauling my drum kit up there, but I wouldn’t turn down a home-cooked meal.”
I laughed. “Is that all you need me for?”
His expression grew uncharacteristically serious, though he threw in a casual shrug. “All right. I miss you and your spaghetti.”
With Caden, that was about as far as his sentiment went, and I’d take it.
“I just made you spaghetti.” I grinned.
He shrugged. “Well, it’s really good spaghetti, what do you want me to say?”
