“You can stay with me when you visit.”
“Thanks. I don’t like hotels much. Always prefer a friend’s couch over it.”
I lean slightly toward her, my eyes still on her lower lip.
“You can even have my bed.”
Alice exhales sharply, right before she bursts out laughing.
“That’s not what I meant. I was saying you could have my bed, and I’d sleep on the couch.”
“Such a gentleman.”
“How else can I keep up with those sophisticated Brits?”
It takes her a few seconds to calm down, and then she flashes me a megawatt grin. “I was going to mock you for the worst pickup line in history. You sure you didn’t mean it?”
Her cheeks are red and the flush is spreading down her beautiful neck, which tells me I’m not the only one who entertained thoughts of the two of us crossing the line of friendship, heading straight to full-blown flirting. The things I’d do to this woman between the sheets. Damn, I need to keep my head straight.
Alice deserves someone to take care of her, make sure she’s always happy. All things I can’t even attempt to give her, considering my imminent departure.
“I’d never dare to,” I tease. “Your brothers would kick my ass.”
She clutches her heart theatrically. “I’m wounded. After telling me you think me capable of the perfect murder, you think I need my brothers to do the ass kicking for me?”
Laughing, I shake my head. I always laugh way more when Alice is around. She raises her glass to her mouth, and on an impulse, I cuff her wrist midair, rubbing my thumb in little circles. I notice with satisfaction as goose bumps form on the skin of her arms.
“I missed your smart mouth, Alice.”
She parts her lips, and I’d bet anything that she’s about to serve me a sassy reply, but Blake joins us before she can utter a single word.
***
Alice
Nate lets go of my wrist the moment Blake pulls up a chair in front of us. My skin is still tingling where he touched me. This man is too potent, I swear. It doesn’t help that I’ve had a crush on him for years. With dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a lean but muscle-laced body, he’s pure temptation. Always has been, but like fine wine, Nathan Becker gets more irresistible as time goes by.
“Alice, don’t monopolize Nate,” Blake says. “He’s a hard man to get a hold of.”
“She was just telling me you’re opening a new location together.”
My brother talks about our plans eagerly, and hearing him talk with so much passion makes me smile. Over the years, I’ve opened two restaurants, but this third one is the first I will co-own, and I can’t wait to work side by side with my brother. It’ll be great running the business with someone I trust.
“Would you two like the location to be featured on the Delicious Dining show?” Nate asks.
“I’d give both my nuts for it,” Blake answers.
“Fantastic visual, brother.” Turning to Nate, I add, “It would be an extraordinary promotional opportunity. But they mostly feature celebrity restaurants or those with Michelin stars.”
“It’s not my area, but I can pitch it to the network. You have a good shot. We’ll have to get together a few times to discuss some details, but it’s doable in the three weeks I’m here.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it,” I reply. My heart sinks at the reminder that he’ll leave so soon. I’ve been carrying a torch for the man forever. In the beginning, he was just my older brother’s friend, but over the years, he became my friend too. I have no idea when the friendship turned into something different, but here we are.
Damn, I’m buzzing with awareness just from being near him. It doesn’t help that he’s glancing up and down my neck and breasts every few minutes. I bet he believes he’s really discreet about it too. I’m surprised Blake hasn’t picked up on it yet, but then again, he is oblivious to these things. My oldest brothers are the ones who always flex their protective muscles.
“How about Alice and I meet you at Blue Moon, the new location, next week?” Blake suggests. “It’s not open for business yet, but you can look around and we can discuss this in more detail.”
“Great idea,” Nate replies. The three of us chitchat for a few more minutes. Then Dad comes over, clearly wanting to talk to Nate, and Blake and I leave them to it.