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Brooks holds the door open to the back deck and we all rush to the hot tub since it’s freezing outside and beginning to snow.
Brooks is the last to get in and Preston whistles low and slow, his eyes wide. “No wonder my cousin hates you, man. I think I even have a crush on you.”
“Right?” Mildred agrees. “His muscles have muscles!”
“Uh, thanks,” Brooks says, looking at me with a look that says, what the hell?
“So,” I begin, trying to change the subject. “What are you guys doing here? I know you have a hot tub on your balcony too.”
They glance at each other, both grimacing. “Todd wanted us to hang out with him and Trudy,” Preston explains.
“We told them we were going to sleep,” Mildred adds. “And their room is right next to ours, so they would’ve heard us outside. Ugh! Trudy is a hairdresser for goodness’ sake.” She rolls her eyes like even the idea of conversing with someone so (supposedly) beneath her is appalling.
“What’s wrong with hairdressers?” Brooks asks, slinging one muscled arm behind me and toying with a loose tendril of hair that fell from my bun.
Mildred brings a hand to her chest like she’s mortified. “Oh goodness, I’m so sorry. You’re not a hairdresser are you?”
Brooks eyebrows draw together. “Uh, no. I own a company with Molly. Remember?”
“Oh, right!” She laughs. “I totally forgot.”
“But I don’t see anything wrong with being a hairstylist. I mean, if it weren’t for them, my hair would reach my butt.”
Mildred flips her blonde hair over her shoulder as if just remembering her fabulous hair … which is all thanks to her hair stylist. “Oh, true. Good point.”
“I still don’t want to hang out with them. I don’t care what they do for a living,” Preston says, wrinkling his nose.
“Isn’t he your best man?” Brooks asks, then looks at me with a very confused look.
“Only because my dad made me ask him,” Preston admits, sounding like a school boy.
Mildred slaps his chest. “Preston!”
He grimaces. “Oh sorry, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that. Our fathers are dual owners in their company … so we have to save face and all.”
Mildred’s eyebrows go up and focuses on me and Brooks … specifically his hand that is still playing with the hair at the nape of my neck. “Speaking of co-owning a company … how does that work with all this?” She motions between me and Brooks with a wave of her hand.
I open my mouth to respond, but Brooks beats me to it. “Molly and I have been friends for six years. Our relationship was first built on friendship, then trust and mutual respect. Adding in romance won’t change any of that.”
My head swivels to look at him. How did he come up with that on the spot? It’s like he had that monologue prepared in advance. He smiles and kisses me on the forehead.
Mildred narrows her eyes. “Hm, alright. But it could get tricky.”
“How so?” Preston asks.
“Think of all the arguments your father and uncle have gotten into over the years. What if they weren’t brothers, but a husband and wife? They would’ve gotten a divorce ages ago.”
“Ah,” Preston hums. “You’re right. A romance between two people who own the same company is a recipe for disaster.”
My heart tightens at their comments. I’m not sure why; Brooks and I aren’t even in a real relationship. So why do their words hurt so much?
“Molly and I aren’t your father and uncle,” Brooks says confidently, seeming unperturbed by the conversation. He’s the picture of cool confidence. “Did you two plan this? Are you trying to convince Molly she’d be better off with Todd?” He chuckles.
I lean forward and look directly at my sister. “Oh my gosh, is that what this is? Did Mom send you?”
“No!” Mildred insists. “Although we all know you and Todd will get back together eventually.”
Preston’s face falls. “Why? I like Brooks better.”
