“Sure,” Gavin says and stands, grabs his phone off my desk,and heads for the door. “And I know how to fix a broken heater without calling a specialist.”
He walks out laughing before I can reply.
Which is for the best, considering the murderous glare my sister is giving me right now. She might be younger and smaller, but she’s a little scary when she’s angry.
“I’m serious, Grace—just friends.”
“Do you want to be more?”
I pinch the spot between my eyes. “We literally just became friends.”
“But you’re attracted to her.”
“Grace,” I warn.
“Dutton,” she mocks me.
“We. Are. Just. Friends.”
Even if, and this is a big if, I entertained the idea of dating Brooke, her father would have my hide. Could you imagine the holiday dinners with our families? Henry, pretending to be dad and husband of the year while watching Brooke's dad stare me down from across the table, thinking of all the ways he could put cuffs on me one more time and keep me away from his daughter for good.
I rub my chin.
Has he said anything to Brooke since the rumors of our friendship started? If he has, she hasn’t said anything to me.
We should really get a plan in place as to how we want to do this with her father. I know Brooke is convinced that keeping the illusion of friends in play while being ourselves is the best route, but me, I’m not so sure. Then again, if I knew, I wouldn't have recruited her for this to begin with.
“Famous last words, huh?”
I toss my hands up.
“Okay, fine. But seriously, Dutton, Brooke is one of the best people I know, and?—”
“I know, I know, don’t hurt her. Got it. I don’t plan to, and I won't.”
“Good.”
Grace leaves with a nod, and just when I think I can get on with my day, my phone goes off with a text from the guys.
Luca
Anyone up for a round of noon ball?
Ah, noon ball. A year or so ago, when Luca arranged this whole thing where the boys get together, it started with us just hanging out at his house for beers and pizza for dinner and then morphed into playing basketball before dinner. Now, we are officially at noon ball.
We’re only in our thirties, but I think this means we are well on our way to getting old.
But I could use the workout.
Dutton
I’m in.
Hudson
Rain check.
Miles
