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He’s got a great smile, big and inviting against his rich, golden skin. Dark-auburn hair, which is so unique in color that it highlights all his other features in a perfect way. And let’s not forget those piercing, blue eyes that are currently scanning me, causing a rush of desire to trickle down my spine. I bite my lip and his smile stretches wide, making my attraction to him that much harder to resist.
Is he flirting with me?
“I mean, I just got here a couple of hours ago, but so far, so good.”
“Sounds like you need a tour guide. I know the city like the back of my hand.”
Tristan raises a chip to his mouth, and I trace the movement, the way his tongue brushes his bottom lip.
I swallow hard.
What the fuck was in that wine?
“What a generous offer. I’d love that,” I finally breathe out, forcing a smile while trying to hide my burning cheeks behind my nearly empty glass of wine.
“What’s a generous offer?” Dom appears out of thin air, towering beside us.
I nearly jump out of my skin, but Tristan just smiles, squeezing Dom’s shoulder with a shit-disturber expression on his face.
“I was just offering Zoe a tour of New York City since she’s going to be staying here for a long time.”
“What?” Dom asks.
“Didn’t Aaron fill you in? Zoe’s moved to New York City. She got transferred from her Boston office, and no one knows why yet. But I think she probably got a promotion and she just doesn’t want to seem like she’s bragging.” Tristan winks at me.
Definitely not the case, but I don’t plan on sharing that piece of disappointing news anytime soon. My eyes ping-pong between Dominik and Tristan as they share some weird look between one another, seeming to communicate effectively in bro language without needing words. Not sure when I got jammed into this awkward man sandwich but it’s probably time for me to exit stage left.
As I turn, Dom suddenly moves, and I accidentally smack his arm, causing the beer in his hand to spill and create a pool on Aaron’s floor. Panic grips me, and I quickly reach for the roll of paper towels on the counter. Kneeling down, I start cleaning up the mess.
Fuck, I can’t help but feel like an imposition. I look around as if Dad is going to materialize out of thin air, berating me and reiterating what a colossal screw-up I am.
Dominik crouches down beside me and tries to grab the ball of paper towels from my hand. “Let me. It was my fault.”
I don’t look up at him, keeping my eyes on the floor. “It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it.”
His inked hand gently rests on top of mine, and the warmth from his touch sends tiny shocks of electricity racing up my arm.
“This isn’t your parents’ house. You don’t have to do that,” he whispers, low enough for only me to hear.
Lurching upright as if I’ve been stung, I look over my shoulder to see Tristan and Aaron watching me. Tristan with a cool, carefree look, and my brother with an expression of familiar concern. Aaron is a closed book with most people, but when you grow up with someone, it’s hard to hide most of yourself from them. And I recognize that look. It’s the same one he wore whenever he witnessed my parents tearing me down.
Avoiding everyone, I walk to the sink to wash my hands and wet some more paper towels to clean up the sticky gunk the beer spill left on the floor. I feel my brother approaching, but he stands there for a few minutes, not saying a word. Simply existing beside me.
“Thank you,” I finally address him.
He nods, reaching for the bottle of wine and topping off my glass.
“Zoe, are you going to tell us what type of promotion brought you here?” Tristan finally breaks the uncomfortable silence settling in the room.
Answering this question might be easier than enduring the last five minutes all over again.
“Do I have to?”
“Yes,” Tristan and Aaron say at the same time.
“Give her some space.” Wow, Dominik is standing up for me for once in his life? I’m equally shocked and impressed.
“Relax, Dom. I’m just curious. Need to figure out what type of long-term plans I can make with Aaron’s little sister,” Tristan teases, laughing, but Aaron and Dominik look as if they’re going to murder him and hang his body upside down to bleed dry.
