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“Oh!” The newcomer in the back steps closer, inspecting me over his buddy’s shoulder. “You’re the one Niles mentioned. Is it Friday already?”
His friend is scowling, deep in thought. “Holy shit, it is Friday.” Now he looks embarrassed, and I feel a sense of relief wash over me. The confusion is clearing. “Where are my manners? You must be Kate.”
And….it’s back again. “Um, no.”
Both men break into a wide, teasing grin and step aside, opening a gap between them. “Just pullin’ your leg,” the tallest of the two says as he motions me inside. I step up and over the threshold, having to thread my way between the small gap left between their chests.
“Niles told us all about you,” the other informs me as I sidestep a safe distance before turning back to face them. “You’re Elle, a coworker. What do you do there?”
I shrug off my jacket and hand it to Mr. Tall, who drapes it over a peg beside the door where a host of other coats hang. “I guess you could say I’m a glorified paper pusher.”
“Honest work,” Mr. Tall approves.
“It’s nothing special. Pays the bills.” I shrug.
The shorter one purses his lips and comes closer, sweeping a hand out in a silent bid for me to head deeper into the house at his guidance. I pivot and allow him to indicate and semi-lead the way.
“How long have you and Niles worked together?”
“I’ve only been with the company for five months.”
“Ah, not long. How do you like it so far?”
“It’s nice. Can’t complain.”
“You’re a woman of few words,” Mr. Tall, who’s taken up the rear, says with an appreciative smile.
“My mother always taught me to choose my words carefully.”
“Hiding something?” The one beside me has aquamarine eyes that are full of life, and for some reason, I feel like he’s teasing me again.
“A girl can’t reveal all of her secrets at once,” I say with a flirty wink and smile. They really are handsome guys. Both tall in their own right, with the tallest having less bulk but a nice form that I’d bet money is just as strong as my guide’s thicker, fuller form that speaks to hours in the gym and a healthy diet.
“Where is Niles anyway?” I ask, glancing around as I’m lead through a short breezeway and into an overlarge family room complete with fireplace covered in a glossy black marble tile. An overstuffed black leather reclining sectional is positioned in front of an enormous big screen TV that has a video game paused on it. There’s a shaggy white rug between it all with two video game controllers waiting on standby for their owners to return.
There are a few beers sitting on tables made of driftwood that’s been stained and sealed, giving the finishing touches to what has to be the most bachelor-eqsue pad I’ve ever been in.
“Niles is lurking around here somewhere,” Mr. Tall says, and then turns his head and belts out, “Niles! Company!”
His voice is deep and loud and carries enough bass to reverberate in my chest…and all the way down to places I’d rather ignore just now.
He looks at me again and grins. “He’ll be down in a minute. Do you want something to drink while you wait? Beer?”
“No,” I pass.
“Okay. Well, food will be here soon. Have a seat. I just need a quick minute to finish beating Dean’s ass in this game and then you’ll have our full attention.”
“Don’t mind Shane. He’s competitive and delusional. It’s a bad combination, but we’re working through it. Baby steps.”
I cover a snicker and ease down onto the edge of the sofa, content to wait it out and catch my breath for a moment in what turns out is a surprisingly chill atmosphere.
It’s not much longer before Niles appears, and when he spots me, he leaps right into apologies.
“Elle, I’m so sorry. I intended to be down earlier, but I had to take an important phone call. Business never ends,” he explains.
“It’s okay.” While I wish he’d been the one to open the door, it worked out. My moments of discomfort were brief, and I’ve settled in since then.
“Still, I apologize. I’m usually very punctual.”
