Page 12

“Yes. But I think that’s only going to make things worse. My ex did not like Michelle getting the best of him.”

“Typical bully.”

“Anyway.” She waves a hand as if she can sweep all the bad stuff away. “I’ll be working here soon and I’m really excited. It’s a promotion!”

“Oh?”

“Yes!” Her excitement has me smiling. “I’ll be assistant to the housekeeping manager and in charge of the room service menu and staff.”

“Nice.” Pride rises inside me. She’s not only taking action to remove herself from her ex’s orbit but she’s doing it while improving her career.

“And, I get to stay in the staff quarters if I want. I can finally move out of Nan’s house.” Her joy is infectious and I want to see that pretty smile on her face all the time.

“Sounds like you should celebrate. How about dinner? My shout.” The invitation is out before I can second guess it, and while it’s not scandalous, it kind of feels that way. This woman is well over a decade younger than me—she went to school with my nephew for fuck’s sake. I shouldn’t be this invested in her life.

But I am.

“Oh, I wish I could.” A frown wipes her pretty smile away. “I’m meeting my friend Michelle for dinner.”

I have to bite my tongue so I don’t ask if it’s the same Michelle who put her ex on his ass. “Another time then.”

“Oh, um, yeah, sure.” Her cheeks flush a soft pink and I wonder if it’s the cold or talking to me putting that color on her face.

The urge to hug her again is too much to ignore—or maybe I just don’t want to. Stepping closer, I move slowly, making it clear what my intentions are. And when she doesn’t step back or brace in any way, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her close.

“It was great to see you and congratulations on the new job.” My words are spoken into her hair, my breath stirring up the sweet scent. I can’t place it, but I do know it smells good. She smells good.

“Thank you.” Her cheek is pressed to my chest, and if I’m not mistaken, she tightens her arms around my waist. “For everything.”

Not wanting things to get weird, I let go and step back. “Well, see you⁠—”

“Before you go. How’s Felix doing? I haven’t called or messaged because I didn’t want to be a bother⁠—”

“You wouldn’t be a bother. He’s doing great. Settled in at home with Riley fussing over him.” I grin when the image of Felix’s scowling face pops into my head. “He doesn’t like being taken care of any more than he did a decade ago.”

“I can imagine. He never liked attention.”

I forgot how well Brooke knows my nephew. Fuck. They went to prom together. And while I know they went as friends and my memories of her are vague, it gives me a bit of an ick feeling to be so invested in her now.

Because I am invested.

My desire to see her safe, to spend time with her, is not something I’ve dealt with before. No woman in the past left me feeling empty when I walked away.

Brooke Parker is too young for me. I know that.

And yet I don’t give a fuck.

Unless she tells me to leave her alone, I’m going to be her friend. Unlike the last guy she spent time with, I have no intention of pestering her. But I won’t leave her alone either.

I can keep my attraction under control. What I won’t do is let her deal with her ex on her own. I’ll make sure she’s safe even if I have to go against my friend’s advice and warn the prick off myself.

BROOKE

“Hey!”

The grip on my arm is tight and my first instinct is to freeze but Michelle’s voice pops into my head.

No one has the right to touch you without permission.