“How was your afternoon?” Greer asked. Dallas’s hand rested on Greer’s hip, keeping him close.
“Busy. We moved into the new offices and we didn’t miss a scheduled class or a shipment out. We have twelve classes a day now. And Skye says thank you for her office.”
“Did I give her an office?” Greer didn’t remember that detail.
“No, it’s a closet. She claimed it.” Dallas nodded to the tray still in Greer’s hand. “What’s all that for?”
“Kailey and Beau are stopping by to meet you. I hope you don’t mind. Kailey’s a pain in the ass who doesn’t understand how new love requires private time to adjust.” Greer lifted again for a kiss, grinning broadly at his joke, but Kailey’s annoying voice drew Dallas’s attention toward her, which left Greer hanging.
“I’m right here, turd.”
Greer had to angle his head toward his sister who had gotten to her feet, her shoes clicking on his polished floors as she approached. “And since I waited all weekend to hear from this guy.” She pinched Greer in the ribs with her pointy fingernails, sending him into a spasm to get away while keeping the tray of food upright. Kailey took Greer’s place in front of Dallas. “I had to come see you for myself.”
Of course, Kailey didn’t care about things like personal space. She wrapped her arms around Dallas, holding him tightly until he reached around her waist, returning her hug. His gaze collided with Greer’s.
“You’re so nice-looking, Dallas. I can see why my brother’s crazy about you.”
Oh Lord. He didn’t want to give the wrong impression, so his eye roll stayed inside his head.
“Come on. You’ll give him the big head,” Greer said. Luckily, Kailey did let Dallas go, but she stayed in his face.
“Marisol thinks you hold power over my brother. You’re going to have to teach me your skill.”
Greer let the eye roll go this time and left them standing there, heading for the grill. Of course, she would embarrass him, but he also knew he would never be able to keep her away from Dallas. So, she needed to get it all out tonight. “Don’t listen to her, Dallas. Pregnancy’s affecting her brain.”
“Hush, brother.”
Greer cast a quick glance over his shoulder to see Kailey lifting a fallen piece of hair off Dallas’s forehead. She lovingly moved it back in place, happy to be there with Dallas. His mister had an incredibly awkward “help me” or “don’t walk away” expression. He was about to learn what it meant to have a sister in his life.
“Come on, you two. I’ve got baked potatoes, vegetables, and these steaks. Grab the bottle of wine when you come.”
His gentleman extended an arm, urging Kailey to go first. Her response was to wrap her arm around Dallas’s outstretched one, causing Greer to laugh out loud.
“She’s hard to shake free.”
Kailey gave a perfectly executed tsk, not daunted in the least. “I’m Skye’s friend which makes Dallas my friend. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
“I won’t let her inside the house next time,” Greer called out, ducking out onto the patio.
“Don’t worry, Dallas.” Kailey said loud enough for Greer to hear. “I have all the keys. I can get in here at any time.”
=?=
He couldn’t find it anything other than comfortable around Kailey and Beau, and boy, had he tried. They were both very much like Greer—upper crust in both education and pedigree—but they all did normal so damn well that, somehow, they made Dallas feel relaxed and as if he could relate.
Beau had arrived about twenty minutes after Dallas. He was Greer’s equal in every way. Reasonably, Dallas understood there was no attraction between them. He got it. They were just so damn fluid together it was hard not to speculate about their past.
Greer, Beau, and Mac had all shared a small dorm room at SMU. They’d tailgated together, served as each other’s best men—well, for Mac and Beau—and were everything Dallas had wished he’d had in a male best friend. Dallas was no longer jealous of their bond, just envious of the connection.
Kailey on the other hand had been glued to Dallas’s side for the evening. As Beau instructed Greer on the proper way to clean a grill, something grill master Greer resented, Kailey had her eyes on Dallas. He felt them burning a hole through him.
“Why do you keep looking at me?” he teased, finally glancing over at her.
“Nothing really. Greer wouldn’t tell me anything about you. I had no idea how far things had gotten between you two. Once I figured it out, Skye started spilling the tea. I’m glad my brother has such a good man. He deserves a genuine, gentle man.”
Dallas lifted his drink and had to force himself not to react. Ryan’s conversation yesterday on the plane had resonated within Dallas. He went home with fresh eyes this morning. Ducky was already at it, hard at work, expertly managing the move into their new offices. Dallas didn’t waste a second before jumping in to help.