Page 51 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

Luke clears his throat pointedly. “So?”

I don’t look at him.

“So,” he continues anyway, because Luke never met a boundary he didn’t want to lean on. “You gonna stand there starin’ all night, or you gonna go say hi like a normal human?”

“I already sort of did,” I mutter.

Luke snorts. “That doesn’t count. Go make her feel welcome. You’re good with people.”

I take one more drink, set the bottle down on a stump, and straighten. Roll my shoulders out of habit, squaring up to a job that can’t be undone once I start it.

Then my feet move toward her.

I don’t know what causes this sudden bout of bravery, only that I feel the need to follow it.

My boots crunch over gravel and pine needles. I pass people I know, return nods, accept a half wave from Gus, who’s deep in a story no one is stopping him from telling.

June doesn’t see me until I’m close.

Millie does though.

Her eyes flick up sharp and amused, her smile turning knowing in a way that makes my spine tighten. She nudges June lightly with her elbow.

June turns.

And the second her eyes land on me, surprise flickers across her face.

“Hi,” I say. “Good to see you, Millie.”

Millie nods. “Yeah, hey, Fletch.”

I turn to June properly, giving her space, keeping my hands loose at my sides instead of shoved in my pockets. “Nice to meet you. I’m Fletcher.”

The corner of her mouth tugs up. “June.”

I tilt my head, letting a little humor in. “You survivin’ Redwood Run so far?”

June huffs a laugh. “I think so.”

Millie leans back with a grin. “She’s doing great. Evan’s obsessed.”

Warmth twists through my chest at the mention of the kid.

“I heard,” I say. Then, quieter, to June, “He doesn’t hand out acceptance easily.”

June’s eyes soften. “No. He doesn’t.”

Our gazes catch and hold for a beat too long.

And I feel it, the thing that happens when someone fits into the space beside you.

June clears her throat first, cutting the tension before it can turn dangerous.

Millie, of course, makes it worse.

“So,” she says brightly, eyes sparkling with mischief, “Fletcher was literally just standing over there staring at you, June.”

“Millie,” I say flatly.