Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
That caught Dean’s attention too.
Macklin adopted a look of fake shock and placed a hand on his chest. “Are you implying I’m drawn to gossip?”
“I’m flat out sayin’ it,” I deadpanned. “Speak, pet.”
It was his turn to huff, and there was nothing uncharacteristic about that. He couldn’t stall either. Dean and I would never allow it.
“Fiiine,” Macklin groaned. “It’s Gael, okay? He has a crush on Dean, and when I found out he loves history, I may have suggested a college class he could take.”
Oh, for chrissakes.
Yeah, that sounded exactly like something my boy would do.
I side-eyed my brother, waiting for his reaction. I didn’t know Gael. I’d never met him.
Dean scrubbed his hands over his face and blew out a breath. “You can be a damn troublemaker sometimes, Macklin. What exactly were you hopin’ to achieve? I would never do anythin’ inappropriate with a student, no matter how—” He stopped himself.
I pinched my lips together, and it was impossible not to get amused now.
No matter how, what?
Macklin leaned forward, suddenly very intrigued. “No matter how what, Sir? Please continue.”
Nope, not my brother. He cleared his throat and rose from his seat. Ever so cool, calm, and collected. But on the inside, a storm was brewing, wasn’t it?
“It’s been an incredibly wonderful evenin’, you two. Up until about one minute ago,” he said. “Now, I’m gonna get myself an Uber, and I will pick up my car in the mornin’.”
The look I gave Macklin told him not to push his luck, so he did the smart thing and kept his mouth shut. The subject was closed—for now.
We walked Dean out into the hallway, and Macklin stayed in the doorway. He seemed…determined, so I was looking forward to hearing his side of that story. He must have a good reason for trying to play matchmaker. And hey, if this Gael boy turned out to be exactly what my brother needed, I wasn’t opposed to switching sides and calling Macklin’s idea good. You never knew. But I also understood Dean’s point of view. And for fuck’s sake, there had to have been better options. Couldn’t Macklin simply have introduced Gael to Dean at an event?
“Thank you for a fantastic dinner, troublemaker.” Dean zipped up his jacket and went over to kiss Macklin’s cheek. “That’ll be your new nickname, I reckon.”
Macklin smiled. “I’ll wear it with pride, Sir.”
“Mmph.” Dean headed for the door before he turned to face me, and I didn’t let him wonder if we were going to shake hands, give each other a one-armed hug, or even worse, a two-finger salute.
I went up and hugged him properly, surely catching him off guard.
He went still for a second, and then he let out a breath and squeezed me back.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. “I’m sorry I was a dick all these years, big brother.”
He tightened his hold a little. “Water under the bridge, hothead.”
His old nickname for me.
I smiled and eased back, just enough to look him in the eye.
His own smile seemed to carry some lingering confusion about our close proximity, but I wasn’t hiding anything anymore. Dean had always been my hero, and he was gonna have to get used to me being more open about that. And then some.
Before I could chicken out or overthink, I leaned in and kissed him.
“Fucking finally,” Macklin whispered.
I palmed Dean’s cheek and waited for his surprise to fade, and once it did… He shivered and kissed me back, his warm lips moving tentatively but sensually, and it was all the promise I needed for next time.
I stole a quick taste. The tips of our tongues met, and I kissed him a little harder, a little hungrier, before I eased away and saw the desire in his eyes.
“Text me when you get home,” I murmured. “And, uh, call me tomorrow?”
He nodded with a dip of his chin. “I will.”
EPILOGUE 3
One month later
Macklin McKenna
I burst out laughing the second a smirking Ty walked through the door with a bouquet of gorgeous spring flowers.
“I know why you’re here! Gimme one sec—I’ll be right back.” The lunch rush had slowed down, so I left the bar unattended and hurried through the kitchen, back to my office, where I grabbed the highly interesting gift Walker had sent me today. A delivery guy had shown up right as we’d opened.
My romantic of a husband. He needed an intervention.
By the time I returned to the bar, Ty had sat down on a stool and was scanning the snack menu.
“Let’s switch,” I chuckled. “These are for you.” I handed him the box with new fishing bait or whatever those hooks were called. “I absolutely read the note. I mean, I had to. It made no sense.”
“The guys at work sure thought it was funny when the delivery person showed up.” He laughed softly and eyed his present while I took a whiff of the flowers. They were so beautiful—and the note made me smile.