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“What can we do to help?” Hudson searches my face. “Anything at all.”
Honestly? “I kind of want to go home and see Lily.” When I’m with her, I forget about all the bullshit and the world feels lighter.
Hudson nods in understanding.
Cole gives me a crooked smile. “Maybe we should give you a night to yourselves?”
I nearly fall over. “Did I hear that right? This coming from the same guy who went full melodrama over the fact that Hudson didn’t share with us at the Halloween party.”
“That was different,” Cole protests, crossing his arms.
“How?” Hudson asks.
“Because it was you.” Cole shrugs. “Besides, good things come to those who wait.” He looks away dreamily. “The more I fantasize about my time with Lily, the better it’ll be.”
“Bro, are you seriously hard right now?” Hudson jumps away in mock horror.
Cole drops his hands over his crotch. “No, fuck you!”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “God, why do you hate me?”
He huffs. “Now who’s dramatic?”
A laugh bursts out of me at his antics. He smiles proudly, and I realize he did all that on purpose to help pull me out of my funk. That’s why these two are like brothers to me. They mean the world to me and if I have it my way, Lily will be part of our unit permanently.
Chapter Eighteen
LILY
Exhaustion weighs heavy on my shoulders as I park at home. Tom Wilson finally signed an offer for a ten-million-dollar property, but geez, the man can negotiate. Three hours of back and forth over inspection clauses and closing dates. My brain is totally fried, but it’s nice to know that once things close I’ll be able to pay down my debt.
I grab my purse from the passenger seat and climb out. I’m more than ready for a relaxing night with the guys. As I round the car, I notice soft flickering lights line the walkway to the front door. I blink twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating.
Candles. Actual honest-to-god candles create a pathway to the front door.
My heart flutters as I follow the trail, each step making the stress of the day melt away a little more. These guys. I swear they’re better than I deserve, though I’m in no hurry for them to realize that.
The front door opens before I can reach for the handle. Gage is waiting with an easy smile. He’s in a nicer version of his usual flannel. The blue and black checkered design brings out the brown in his eyes and his sleeves are rolled up to his forearms. People talk a lot about forearm porn with men in suits, but unless they’ve seen the arms of a working man, they’re seriously missing out.
“Welcome home, beautiful.” He steps aside, revealing more candles scattered throughout the entryway. The flickering lights cast dancing shadows on the walls.
My mouth falls open. “Did you do all this?”
He takes my bag from my shoulder, fingers brushing mine. “I figured you deserved a proper date, but rather than dragging you into town where everyone will stare and gossip about our business, I thought I’d bring the restaurant to you.”
“Where are the guys?”
“Busy,” he says with a smile. “It’s just you and me tonight.”
“I can get behind that,” I say with an answering grin. It’s nice to spend time one on one as well as in a group.
The scent of something incredible wafts from the kitchen. I glance past him, surprise rippling over me. The dining table has been transformed into something straight out of a five-star restaurant, complete with crisp white linens and a small vase of roses that are in my favorite color.
“You brought me yellow roses.” I search his face. Was that a happy accident?
“Of course I did. You mentioned they were your favorite that night Matt gave you red ones to apologize for forgetting your birthday.” He swallows nervously. “Not that I was eavesdropping.”
“Uh-huh, definitely not,” I say with a teasing smile.
