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“Meli,” I introduce, seeing as she isn’t bothering to.
“Danny. Pleased to meet you. That’s my brother, Curtis.”
I smile shyly, trying my hardest to look sweet and innocent because my instincts tell me these two clowns will be Jolene’s downfall. “I should get on.”
“Wait,” he rushes after me, catching me as I’m about to head upstairs. “Are you single, married, other?” he asks, laughing at his own joke.
“Very single. You?”
“Same. Maybe we could go out for a drink some time?”
I bite my lower lip, and his eyes fall there. “Sure, but I don’t date men I don’t know alone. Do you mind if I bring my friend?”
He nods eagerly. “Of course. I’ll bring Curtis.”
“It’s best you don’t tell your boss,” I whisper, nodding to the kitchen where Jolene is chatting to his brother. “She hates me.”
The front door opens, and Arthur stops when he sees Danny. He closes the door, keeping his eyes on us. “No problem,” Danny replies. “Let me take your number, and I’ll text you to work out a date we can all make.”
I nod, handing him my phone. “What’s going on?” asks Arthur.
Danny inputs his number to my phone before calling his own. He hands it back, completely ignoring Arthur. “Speak soon.” He winks, then goes back into the kitchen.
Arthur grabs my upper arm and marches me up the stairs. He doesn’t stop until we’re in his bedroom, and he slams the door. “Explain.”
“He asked me on a date,” I begin to explain.
“What?” he growls. “Well, you moved on quick. Jesus, Meli. One minute, you’re telling me to picture us and kids, and the next, you’re handing your number to one-half of the chuckle brothers.”
I smile, pressing my lips together. He looks hot when he’s jealous. “I’m taking Rosey. I think the chuckle brothers could be where we get our information from. They’re not going to want to work under you. There must be something they’ll give away that we can use.”
Arthur grins. “You’re going on a date for me?”
I laugh. “Okay, smart arse, it sounds crazy, but I have a hunch.”
He pushes me against the wall, cupping my face in his hands. “Well, if it’s a hunch, I’ll allow it.” He kisses me until my toes curl. “But be careful. These guys are working directly under her. They could be dangerous, and I don’t want you getting hurt. Speak to Mav about it. I need to get downstairs before she realises I’m home.”
“She’s cooking dinner for you.”
He groans. “Christ, she might have poisoned it.”
“Wait until she eats first,” I warn, grinning. “I love you.”
His smile is huge, and I feel myself blushing, realising it’s the first time I’ve said the words out loud. The scariest thing is, I didn’t even know they were there. They just slipped out so naturally. “You love me?” he repeats.
I try to step around him. “Well, it’s no big deal, so let’s not get all weird.”
He pulls me back, kissing me again. “I love you too, Angel. You have no idea how hard this is. It’s killing me.”
“I had to make your bed,” I mutter. “I could smell her perfume all over the sheets.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “Don’t think about it.”
“It’s hard not to.” I take a deep breath. “We’ll find a way to get you out of this. In the meantime, think of an excuse to keep her away from you. Tell her I’ve given you an STD.”
He laughs. “Okay.”
I nod in satisfaction and pull him in for one last kiss. “Go, before she finds us.”
