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“Yeah, we know,” I say with a shake of my head. He’s had a crush on her for twenty years.

Gage lets out a low chuckle. “Well, shit. Guess we’re all screwed then.” His eyes dance with mirth. “I’m right there with you.”

My eyebrows rise. When did that happen? Maybe around the same time I started staring at her for too long while we were meant to be hanging out with our best friend. They both look at me, like they don’t already know she has me hook, line, and sinker, and I exhale.

“Yeah,” I admit, my voice rough. “Me too.”

Silence stretches between us, heavy with implications. We’ve shared women who were into that kind of thing, tourists with no strings attached, simply good times all around. But this is different. Lily’s not some random hookup from the bar. She’s sweet and funny and way too good for any of us, let alone all three.

“So, what do we do?” There’s a glint of determination in Hudson’s eyes. I know him as well as I know the back of my hand. Checking with Gage, I see that same look. Shit. We may as well already be crossing the line.

If Lily stays, we’ll do everything we can to keep her. “Well, for right now, we give her a safe place to land,” I say, decision made. “Show her how she’s meant to be treated.”

“And then?” Gage asks, though we already know where this is heading.

I meet both their gazes, a familiar rush of certainty shooting through me that comes when the three of us are on the same page about something important.

“Well, then we see if there’s something there.”

Chapter Seven

LILY

The sound of metal clanking wakes me from a deep sleep. My eyes flutter open, confusion washing over me as I take in the beamed ceiling and the soft afternoon light peeking through the curtains pulled shut over the massive window.

Oh god. What time is it?

I fumble for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the screen. 4:47 PM. I’ve been asleep for over four hours. My body feels heavy and sluggish, like I’m swimming through molasses. When was the last time I slept this hard? My schedule has been so packed lately that I’ve been having a hard time sleeping at night, too preoccupied with everything that needs to be done.

More sounds drift up from downstairs. Running water, the low murmur of voices. I get up and dip into the ensuite to smooth down my hair and check my reflection. Not terrible. Definitely rumpled from sleep though. The guys must have come home from work and I slept right through it.

Not only am I crashing at their house, I’m being a terrible guest.

The hardwood is smooth against my bare feet as I follow sounds down to the kitchen. The closer I get, the more delicious smells hit me. Something rich, herby, and the tantalizing scent of savory meat.

As I descend the stairs, I catch sight of all three guys, moving around each other with practiced ease. Hudson stands at the island, sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he adds ingredients in a large bowl. Cole at the stove, stirring what looks like risotto with one hand then moving to season chicken. Gage works at the sink, washing fresh asparagus.

My chest tightens with an emotion I can’t quite name.

Hudson spots me first, smiling. His dimples make an appearance. Those things are dangerous.

“Sleep well?” he asks.

“I guess so.” I let out a nervous chuckle, suddenly self-conscious as I join them. “I don’t normally take naps.” Napping was never an option with Matt. Part of me wonders if I was too on edge to ever try.

“You must have needed it with how hard you’re working.” Hudson passes me a glass of wine.

“Ugh, thank god.” I murmur, taking a long sip. The wine is crisp and clean with a hint of fruit. “Oh wow. This is good.” Tipping my head, I eye the stove and the prep work they’re almost finished with. “What are you making?”

Gage dries his hands on a towel, turning to face me. “Dairy-free risotto with asparagus and lemon.”

“And crispy chicken thighs,” Cole adds, adding the meat in the pan with a satisfied grin.

“For dessert,” Hudson continues, heading back to the mixer that’s been whipping batter together. “Vegan chocolate cake.”

My eyebrows pinch together. “Cake?”

He nods. “You didn’t get to celebrate your birthday.” He shoots a guilty look in my direction. “Sorry it took so long to make you one.”