Page 73 of Hearts Storm

Alan’s harmless—funny, sure. Definitely easy on the eyes—but I’m not attracted to him in that way. He’s the kind of guy who flirts with every woman he meets, and I’m no exception. But I’d never go there. Not when my heart is already tangled up with two hot as fuck men who have my head spinning at every turn.

I only did it to mess with Brex. See that flash of jealousy in his eyes, reminding him that I’m not just sitting around waiting for him to make another move or for Logan to make up his mind about what he wants when it comes to me.

“All set?” His words rumble, licking up my spine.

“Yes. Let’s go.” I zip up my bag, and when I go to sling it over my shoulder, Brex arches a brow and takes it from me.

“Best to take it easy with carrying things for a few days, yeah?”

All I give him is a disgruntled huff.

We walk in silence. When we reach his lifted truck, he opens the passenger-side door and tosses my bag into the back seat before holding out his hand to help me step up and inside.

Jogging around to the other side, Brex gets in and turns the key.

The hum of the engine and the sound of country music playing on the radio fills my ears as I keep my attention focused out the window, watching the trees blur past as we head out of town.

“So.” Brex clears his throat. “The Firefighter’s Charity Gala is coming up this weekend. Are you going?”

Surprised by his out of left field question, I whip my head to look at him.

He’s wearing his baseball cap backwards, dark blond hair curling out from underneath. His flannel, worn over a tight white T-shirt, clings to his biceps, and I have to swallow a fresh wave of lust before I manage to eke out a response.

“Um, yes.”

Brex glances over at me, then back at the road. “Do you have a date?”

The question, loaded with obvious meaning, hangs in the air as I take a moment before shaking my head. “No.”

His lips curve into a slow smile.

My heart skips a beat. “What?”

“Be mine.”

I blink. “You want me to be your date?”

“Sure, why not?” The way he says it is so nonchalant, it almost sounds like he’s asking me out for tacos, not accompany him to one of the biggest events for the LFSR.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

Gah! I hate how vulnerable my voice sounds.

“Look.” Brex’s tone softens as he flicks his gaze over to me again. “If anyone says anything, we could say we’re there together as friends.”

He goes quiet, giving me time to let his offer sink in.

I mean, it would be a good excuse to hang out with Brex outside of work. Best in a public setting and all.

“Okay,” I agree, surprising myself. “I’ll go with you.”

His whole face transforms. The grin that splits across his face is so bright, so genuine—eyes crinkling at the corners, dimples carving deep grooves into his cheeks—it takes me a second to return it.

“Really?” He almost sounds surprised, which is ridiculous, given how confident he usually is.

“Really.” I narrow my eyes in his direction. “Just friends.”

“Just friends,” he repeats, nodding slowly with a small smile and a glint in his eye that tells me he has no intention of keeping it ‘just friends.’ “Absolutely. Just two former lovers... I mean, friends. Going to the gala. Together.”