AllFreeNovel
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I turn to my cousin and brother. “God’s honest truth. Hit me with it.”
“I think it’s cool as hell,” Roman says, taking a sip of his beer. “She’s awesome. I have always liked her.”
I look at my brother. Why am I nervous or even care what they think?
“Don’t mix business with pleasure, huh?” Nate says, chuckling. “Eating crow right about now?”
“Yes,” I say honestly.
“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” he teases.
I chuckle and take off my sunglasses to look them each in the eye. “I didn’t understand how hard that rule was to follow until I fell in love with an employee. Now, I couldn’t care less who knows, who sees, or what people will say. The only opinions that matter to me are yours.” I look at them both. “I’m not going to beg for your approval, because I’m not letting her go regardless, but it would mean a lot to me if you welcomed her into the fold.”
“We already told you a few weeks ago that we were cool,” Nathan says. “But seeing what she’s done to you and how she’s changed you for the better, she has my stamp of approval for sure. I never thought I’d see you in love, and it looks good on you, man. And honestly, bro, I think it’s cool as shit that our family’s growing like this.”
Just then, Tricia walks up, holding the hand of an older man. They’re dressed casually in shorts, tees, and sunglasses. “What’s up, guys?” she asks, smiling ear to ear.
“Hi,” I say. “Wanna introduce us to your friend?”
Roman and Nathan start laughing, and I’m just confused.
“Johannes.” The man points at himself. “How are you, Lincoln?”
I stare with my mouth open and look at Nate. “Your driver?”
“Not anymore. Trish stole him from me. Now he makes a living making TikTok and YouTube videos,” Nate says.
“Thanks to your help,” Johannes says to Roman.
He just winks in reply and pops the toothpick back between his teeth.
“What are your videos about?” I ask, intrigued. I’ve only been on the app once when Roman showed me our account and how he uses it to sell beer. Then I’d started scrolling and watching video after video of different accounts, and when I looked up at the clock, two hours had passed and I immediately deleted the app. What a fucking time-suck.
“He just tells stories about driving around rich people for a living,” Tricia replies for him, a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
“No, you don’t,” I say. “I hope you haven’t told stories about us.”
“Oh, I never use names, and between me and you, I mostly make them up for clicks. Trish helps me think of outrageous stories and people eat it up.” He shrugs and takes a sip of his beer.
“So all that collaborating on coffee cup names made you guys get to know each other better, huh?” I ask with a grin.
“Exactly,” Tricia responds. “We had so much fun we started meeting outside of work to talk about it, and one thing led to another…”
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy, you deserve it,” I say to her.
“Here you go.” I turn to see Quinn handing me a beer.
“Took you long enough,” I tease.
“Oh, I was just chattin’ with Jamie from Contracting. She’s a nice gal, but gosh I gotta tell myself to keep my eyes on her face with them big ol’ boobies right there front and center. Like, boom, look at me!”
“Stay away from her,” Nathan, Roman, Tricia, and I all say in unison.
“Why?” she asks.
“She ran out of CEOs to flirt with, so she might start trying to steal you now,” Tricia says.
“Oh, I don’t like girls…” Quinn starts.
