“Like anyone would believe me,” Riley snorted, staring at Milo with more fascination than scrutiny now.
“I would!” Ethel called, still cozy in the recliner, which was also across the room.
“How the hell did she hear me?” Riley hissed.
“Whatever has been going on that has dear Milo here…” Ethel trailed off with a contemplative tilt of her head before finishing, “let’s say in such good spirits, don’t keep me out of the loop. Spill!”
At various points during the festivities, Ethel had dozed off, eaten another middle piece of cake—or three—and helped Milo’s team winFamily Feudby perfectly guessing the last question.
List an activity that requires you to use your lips.
“Eating!”
Rowan had never been so relieved by one of her answers, even if it did cost them the win.
And definitely could still be taken sexually if he let his mind go there, which he resolutely did not.
Also, he was fairly certain that even more tequila shots than cake had passed Ethel’s lips, yet she remained impressively sober.
“It is, as they say, a long story, Ethel,” Milo supplied. He hadn’t really been trying to hide his nature today. It seemed he had accepted that these were his people, just like they were Rowan’s people. “What I will say is that, should the time come when I can do for Anabelle what happened to me, I will.Wewill. Right?” He looked first at Troy, then across the living room at Rowan.
Ethel, meanwhile, looked beside herself with anticipation, staring adoringly at Anabelle, who could only stare blankly forward in wait of her next command.
Rowan hoped they could accomplish what Milo so dearly wanted.
“So long as Andrew Asshat doesn’t throw in a wrench.” Raina snickered.
“I don’t think he’d try to prevent any bots from, um…” Troy glanced around the room. “Well, everyone knows now, don’t they? The director is all for bots awakening like Milo did. He just only really cares about the business and profit side to it. Can’tsay he’s ever cared as much about thehumanelement Andreas Tech is supposed to be so known for.”
“Us bots can bring the human element ourselves once there are more like me,” Milo asserted. “And all ofyoubring the human element too, of course.” He grinned.
“I should hope so,” Raina said.
Riley made to step away from Rowan, but he stopped her with a gentle tug on her arm, lowering his voice again—much as it might not matter where Ethel was concerned. “You’re not going to tell Ruben, are you?”
“And miss out on how much double talk and teasing at his expense Raina and I can get away with in the meantime? Hell no. He’ll find out eventually. Until then, your secret’s safe.”
“No… sisterly warnings about falling for my bot?”
Riley wasn’t one for long speeches or heavy dialogue even when she did have something important to say, but it wasn’t apathy. She cared, just like Rowan cared very deeply for the important people in his life, and it showed in the subtle smile Riley offered him. “I’m guessing Raina already covered any warnings you needed to hear. And while I had about a million going into today… he really is something.”
She glanced at Milo, who had moved to talking more privately with Ethel, hovering over her chair, while Raina appeared to be whispering something to Troy that had his face going flush.
“I don’t know what that something is exactly,” Riley continued. “You apparently don’t either. But all that aside, he’s definitely the best boyfriend I’ve ever seen you with. Who knew our little RoRo could ever look this happy.” She smiled far wider and yet softer than usual. “Even if it is with a metalhead.”
Rowan huffed a laugh. Riley didn’t know Milo was indeed that in both senses of the word.
Riley moved deeper into the living room, it seemed to make her goodbyes, which everyone else was ready for as well. Milohelped Ethel from the recliner, at which point Anabelle stepped in almost as if she could have been jealous—if she’d had the same light in her eyes. But she didn’t. Not yet.
For a moment, Rowan watched them all mingling, sharing smiles and farewells.
“You took a cab here?” Troy asked Raina. “Because I drove, so if you need a lift home—”
“Oh, you are definitely saving me cab fare home, T-bone,” Raina interrupted. “But don’t think you’re getting invited up to my place just yet. Nighty, night, little brother.” She dragged Troy over to Rowan on her still somewhat wobbly legs and kissed his cheek, smelling of tequila and lime.
As fun as the evening had been, Rowan was all for having some time to himself.
Well, to himself and Milo.
