Page 38 of Filthy Rich Ex's Brothers

The thought of that sends another shot of lust through me. Sothisis what it feels like to be gone for someone.

As the espresso machine warms up, I pull out my phone.

Ryan:bad news

Travis:What’s up? It’s the middle of the night.

Ryan::( shit, sorry. forgot about the time difference

Travis:I’m just giving you grief. Just landed, actually.

Travis:What’s the bad news?

Ryan:i think i’m in love

Travis:New restaurant idea? Just please tell me it’s not bird-themed. I can’t go through that again.

Ryan:she’s here now. i’m making her breakfast

It’s several long minutes before he replies. I set down the phone and start in on breakfast, figuring eggs Benedict will be impressive enough for our first breakfast together. Maybe I’ll go with a croque-madame or monsieur next time.

When I check again, there’s a single notification.

Travis:Poor girl. At least she’ll eat well.

Ryan:stfu, bold words coming from the guy who left the country to hide from a woman

Travis:I’m on a business trip.

Travis:Gotta go, deboarding.

I’m grinning when I set the phone down. The guy might be some sort of business guru, but he’s shit at lying. This has something to do with his cradle-robbed girlfriend. I only hope for her sake that he either comes to his senses or just leaves her alone altogether.

“Good morning.”

When I look up, Serena is standing in the doorway wearing my shirt, and breakfast is done.

“You’re perfect,” I say, watching as she blushes and slides into a seat at the breakfast bar. I give her a plate, let her take a few bites, then suggest, “I’m doing a little tour of my restaurants today. Want to tag along?”

She raises her eyebrows at me, finishes chewing her bite, then says, “Are you assuming I have nothing better to do?’

I blink, “No, I?—”

“I’m fucking with you,” she grins, sucking the sauce off her fork and giving me a flippant look. “That sounds like fun.”

I smile and start working on my own breakfast. I need to keep my hands occupied, or I’ll be skipping work altogether and carrying Serena right back to my bedroom.

When we’re done eating, I call a car, and we swing by Serena’s place so she can change. After twenty minutes, I start to wonder if I should go in after her, but she finally comes out, shaking her head as several people crowd in the doorway behind her, not even trying to hide the fact that they’re staring at me.

“Do you have a gaggle of kids I don’t know about?” I ask when she slides into the back of the car. Her thigh presses against mine, and I let my hand fall on her knee.Mine.

“Thoseare my wonderful roommates,” she says through gritted teeth, fumbling with the zipper on her bag to get it shut. “And they don’t know how to mind their own business.”

“Your friends?” I ask. She finally gets the bag shut, flips her hair, and looks at me breathlessly.

Something flickers over her expression too quick for me to catch it. “Yeah. They are. Good friends. But still, annoying sometimes.”

“I get that.” I laugh, thinking of Travis sulking instead of just confronting his commitment issues.