“It’s just a name on a book,” Richard says.
“Exactly.” Cooper clears his throat. He brings his beer to his mouth and takes a long sip, his eyes locked on Richard. “It’s just a name on a book. What’s the big deal if Mia wants to keep it the same?”
“Can we talk about something else?” Mia sets down her pizza and clasps her hands together. “Like how we need more chips? I’m so sorry for the mess, Quin.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back with fresh snacks.” I grab the bowls and stand, glad to have an escape from the awkward conversation. “Does anyone need anything else?”
“I’ll grab some more beers.” Sebastian wraps his hand around the necks of four empty bottles. “As long as everyone promises to take an Uber home tonight. No driving.”
“Lucky for me, I live right next door. I’d like a whiskey, please,” Harlow calls out. “With extra ice. And extra whiskey.”
“Make that two,” Nate adds, finally looking away from his phone screen, and I laugh down the hall.
“Do you think Cooper has a crush on my sister?” Sebastian asks when we round the corner into my kitchen.
“What?” I set the bowls on the counter and strain to reach the top shelf of the pantry. “Where would you get that idea?”
“Did you miss that interaction with Richard?”
“That’s how Coop is. He’s protective of the people in his life. He and Mia have been friends for years, but he’d do the same for any of us.”
“Earlier, when Richard stepped outside for a work call, Coop sat next to her on the couch.”
“Ah, yes. The telltale sign of any sort of attraction is how close someone sits to another human on the couch.”
“You know what I mean.”
“We’re talking aboutMia, right? The woman with the engagement ring on her finger? Who’s been writing her fiancé’s name in her journal for the last four years and dedicated her most recent book to him?” I grab the chips and rip open the bag, dumping them in the bowl. “I’m pretty sure she’s spoken for.”
“What if Cooper and Mia dated and broke up? That would make things fucking weird and—”
“In what world would those two date? She and Richard are—”
“I’d have to pick a side. I’d be so mad at them for making me decide who I liked more.”
“It’s a good thing Mia is a thirty-year-old woman who can make her own decisions. It’s also a good thing you’re not overreacting to an entirely hypothetical situation.” I grimace when the top of the salsa jar refuses to open on the first try. “Men and women are allowed to be friends without having a sexual relationship. Look at me and Nate. We’re not sleeping together.”
“You and I aren’t sleeping together either.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
Sebastian laughs and leans against the counter, watching me struggle. “Need some help?”
“Nope.” I grit my teeth and attempt to turn the top again. “I’m perfectly capable.”
“I know you are, but when you’re ready to admit defeat, I’m right here. Willing and able to assist.”
“I’m an independent woman.” I close my eyes and twist the jar one more time. There’s a callus on my palm. My hand cramps. It finally pops open, and I grin. “There we go.”
“Attagirl.” He leans forward and swipes his finger through the salsa. He brings his hand to his mouth, swallowing the bite. “Delicious.”
“You are disgusting.” I bump him out of the way with my hip and dump the contents in a small bowl. “Please go away.”
“I’m having too much fun.” Sebastian steals the jar from me and dips his finger back in. I’m going to have to sanitize the entire kitchen. This time, he holds his hand up to my mouth. The dare hangs between us, a twinkle in his eye as he watches me. “Want some?”
I know what he’s doing. He’s been doing it for years, pushing me until he finds the point where I push back. He doesn’t think I’ll cave, but I’ve always loved to prove people wrong.
Keeping my eyes on him, I grab his wrist and bring his hand closer. His cocky smile falters when I open my mouth and wrap my lips around his finger. I drag my tongue over his knuckles, taking my time to swallow the salsa.
