Page 41 of Feel It in the Air

I can’t tell if she doesn’t hear me over the small crowd or simply pretends not to, but they keep walking, backs turned to us. Not even so much as a glance backward. Noted.

“You need a drink.”

It’s not a question. It’s a statement. Milo nods to me, then gestures over toward the back porch. And he’s right. I need a drink.

“Wanna talk about it?” he asks, holding the depressed tap down as the red Solo cup fills with Party Mode.

“We were working late, that’s all.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Hux snarks from a deck chair.

Anton snickers from the seat next to him. “Workin’ hard? Or hardly workin’?”

“Actual work,” I correct them. “We were looking at rifle patents.”

“Because of all the sexy things in the world…” Hux mutters.

“The original Hayes rifle?” Ewan interjects. “That is pretty damn sexy.”

I point at our baby brother. He may not have much to say, but I’m telling you, he comes up clutch in certain moments.

“You kissed her yet?” Jace asks.

He would. The family wild card, he’s also the family romantic. Not that he would admit that out loud. Or maybe he would. It’s not like he’s kept his reading romance novels a secret.

“She’s my direct report, so I⁠—”

“Temporary direct report,” Anton corrects. “There’s a difference.”

“So, that’s a yes,” Jace adds. “And based on the crimson color your neck is turning, I’d bet you’ve done more than just kiss her.”

Way more…

“Doesn’t matter. It would be unprofessional.”

“Fuck unprofessional!”

So many of them say it I can’t even tell you which ones it comes from. Hell, it might have been all five. Message received.

I slump back against the railing, sucking in a long, hard breath. From here, I can see into the house, a direct view through the small kitchen into the living room where most of the guests are. Including the beauty I had splayed out on a desk not that long ago.

My dick twitches as that memory floods my brain. Fuck, I didn’t handle that well. Margeaux deserves so much better than that.

More than that, I want to be the one to give it to her. To experience it with her. All of it. Good morning texts. Stolen glances in the hallways. Love notes left in her desk. Picking her up for a lunch date. Hell, a real date, period. Staying up too late talking. Meals. Inside jokes. I want to hold her hand as we walk through the farmers’ market, wondering if Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Chamberlain, the town gossips, are talking about us.

I want it all.

“Gus, we all know that you like her,” Hux says, leaning forward in his chair. “So, do yourself a favor and admit it to yourself. Then get your ass in there, and do something about it.”

“You should listen to your own advice there, Hux,” Anton snarks.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I look over at him, curious if he’s really going to pretend like he doesn’t know. Here, among us. The confused, borderline pissed-off look he’s sporting gives me my answer.

“Dolly gets married in five months, dude,” I clue him in, happy the focus is off me for a moment. I know my reprieve isn’t long, but I’ll take what I can get. “No time like the present.”

My middle brother scowls at me, and I’m pretty sure I see him contemplate jumping up and beating the shit out of me.