Page 67 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

Casper leans closer. “You’re smilin’.”

I blink. “Am I?”

Cyrus’s eyes narrow. He’s amused despite himself. “Yeah.”

I scrub a hand over my beard, trying to pretend my face isn’t doing things without my permission. “Y’all mind your business.”

Casper grins. “Impossible.”

Cyrus watches June slide into a booth with Millie, then looks back at me. “You gonna say hi?”

I open my mouth.

Close it.

Because the honest answer is that I want to.

But I don’t know the rules yet.

And I know myself. When I feel a pull this strong, I don’t enjoy leaving it unanswered.

Marco chooses this exact moment to reappear with two pizzas, each big enough to feed a construction crew. He slams them down on the table like a judge delivering a verdict.

“One meat,” he announces, “for the men who pretend they don’t need vegetables. One supreme, because I am not raisin’ cavemen.”

Cyrus mutters, “Thank you.”

Casper sighs happily. “Marco, I would die for you.”

Marco points at him. “Eat first. Then die.”

He glances past us, following our earlier line of sight. His eyes land on June and Millie.

Marco’s eyebrows shoot up.

Then he looks at me with a smirk. “You gonna be nice, Rex?”

I blink, caught. “I’m always nice.”

Marco makes a sound of disbelief. “You’re charming. That’s different.”

Casper laughs into his pizza. Cyrus hides a smile.

I throw a napkin at Casper’s head. He catches it easily.

Marco leans in. “Be careful with her. This town can love hard. It can also watch hard.”

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I hear you.”

Marco straightens and claps his hands. “Eat!”

And he’s gone.

We eat for a while, the conversation drifting, but my attention keeps snagging on June. Every laugh she gives Millie, every time she tucks her hair behind her ear, every time she glances around.

At one point, Millie stands and waves at Marco, yelling something about extra ranch.

June stays seated, fingers curled around her water glass. She looks softer now. Less braced. As if the pizza place is familiar enough for her to breathe easy.