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I raise my hand and smile as I glance away. “It’s okay. Really.”
He doesn’t appear convinced, but he lets it go. “Are you hungry? Would you like something to drink?”
“Food is coming,” Dean informs him.
Dean glances at his watch. “Actually, they’re late.”
“Then whoever answers the door, make sure to remind the delivery boy they owe us a discount.”
Niles smirks. “Shane is a penny pincher.”
“Hey!” He clearly takes offense to the accusation. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save money.”
“Shane made a name for himself buying low and selling high in the entertainment field.”
The game pauses as Shane turns to look at me, his expression full of pride. “I shop for sales, especially clearance items, like shoes, games, accessories, limited edition stuff, and resell it all on eBay and other sites like it for a markup. It’s crazy what people are willing to pay for stuff they want.”
“I once bought a Tickle Me Elmo for a niece for three hundred dollars,” I agree. “It technically wasn’t my money, since my aunt paid for it, but she would have gone higher. I was just the mule.”
“See what I mean,” he says, sticking his hand out at me as if I am the poster child for crazy shoppers everywhere.
The doorbell sounds, a happy little chime with the classic ding dong. Dean and Shane pop up from the floor, and with a quick press of a button, the game shuts off and they dash back toward the front of the house.
Leaving Niles and me alone.
“So…” I fold my hands on my lap and meet his eyes. “Your friends didn’t seem to know that I was coming.”
“I mentioned it. In passing.” He grimaces. “They don’t listen well lately. I blame it on the games.” He indicates the television. “They’re competitive, and they just got that new racing game. It’s been a madhouse for the last two weeks.”
“Are they okay with me being here?” I have to ask. I feel a bit like I’m imposing.
“Of course. They ordered food for all of us. See? They listen. Sometimes. It’s more cursory than anything, but they do listen.”
“They thought I was the delivery person,” I say with a laugh.
“You’re kidding.”
I make a show of crossing my fingers over my heart. “I should have asked for the tip.”
Instantly, Niles’ eyes heat, and I realize what I’ve just said, and I feel my cheek flame in response.
“I hope you brought your appetite,” Shane says as he and Dean return with bags packed with containers that they set out on the kitchen counter overlooking the living space. “And I hope you like Chinese because we have a lot of it.”
He goes through a list of what they bought, everything ranging from sweet ‘n sour chicken to mu shu pork. Not sure where to start, I opt for fried rice and sesame chicken, which Dean informs me is just a starter course. They fully expect me to help them work through the entire spread because they “won’t have me leaving here hungry.”
I have to admit, although I’m being pressured, I do feel taken care of. It’s nice to have someone looking out for my well-being besides just myself.
“Do you like action movies?” Dean asks as we all gather around the living room, taking up space on the L-shaped sectional, our plates piled high on our laps as we get settled.
I fold my legs into a pretzel and lean against one of two black and taupe plaid throw pillows that I’d bet came with the furniture. The rest of the room is stripped down, simple, not even a picture frame to personalize the space. These men truly are bachelors.
“Sure.” I’ve never been much of a romance movie kind of girl.
All three of the guys grin. Shane speaks up. “Perfect. We have Rambo, Blade, Kickboxer…actually, if it came from the 80s or 90s and has a famous action hero in it, we have it. Choose your poison.”
“Rambo?” I toss the title out there, drawing a blank otherwise. My brain always ceases basic functioning when I’m put on the spot, but they don’t seem to notice and are pleased with my choice.
“Rambo it is.”
