“She just said she needed a good night’s sleep before we talk,” I say with exasperation.
Blake looks at me as if I’m insane. “Do you have any idea how many thoughts a woman can have in one night? Women are masters at overthinking words, overblowing situations. You have that bank thing and the fight with Archer against you. A woman’s mind can twist that into a deadly sin.”
“You’re overreacting, don’t you think?” I ask, but now I’m starting to worry.
“It’s better to be on the safe side,” Sebastian says. His constant pacing around the living room grates on my nerves.
“Since when are you two experts on women?” I retaliate.
“Let’s see,” Blake says. “Sebastian’s engaged, and I have plenty of experience. Summer doesn’t call me a man-whore for nothing. What a woman wants in your case is for you to grovel: flowers, presents, and so on.”
“Nadine’s not like that.”
“Nadine’s a woman,” Blake replies. “If she doesn’t like flowers, you have to come up with more creative presents and strategies. I have this down to a science. There are three stages for a woman to forgive you: apologizing, groveling, and kissing the hell out of her.”
I give him the stink eye, but Blake continues undeterred. “My groveling tactics have always worked. Before you repeat that Nadine isn’t like other women, I’ll say this. She is a woman, and has magnificent breasts to prove it.”
“Don’t go there, or I’ll punch you,” I warn.
Sebastian stops pacing. “Wait, Blake saw Nadine naked? Am I missing something?”
“Nadine wanted to surprise our dear brother with an office striptease,” Blake explains. “I was in the office with him.”
Sebastian grins.
“Not funny,” I growl through gritted teeth.
“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all week,” Sebastian says.
“Yes, yes, let’s all laugh about it,” I reply without humor. “Blake, if you ever bring this up again, I will punch you. Sebastian, stop grinning.”
Sebastian draws in a breath and bursts into laughter. I ignore him.
“All sorts of things can happen if you don’t have a groveling strategy,” Blake says.
“Like what?” I challenge. “Humor me.”
“Like a new guy showing up and stealing her from you. And before you tell me for the millionth time that Nadine isn’t like that, let me tell you, men are smart. First, he’ll be her friend. He’ll give her a shoulder to cry on. Things escalate quickly from there.” Dropping his voice, he adds, “Trust me—been there, done that. It’s called rebound sex.”
“You’re a dick,” I tell him, but with less annoyance in my voice than before.
“Have you heard the saying ‘a shoulder to cry on becomes a dick to ride on’?” Blake asks.
“Enough.” I jump from my seat, fully intending to throttle the moron. Younger brothers have no respect. Sebastian steps between me and the
desk.
“He was talking hypothetically,” Sebastian says. “You’re meeting her in an hour, Logan. No time for anyone to steal her from you.”
It takes a few minutes for me to calm down, but eventually I slump back in my chair. Blake’s sprawled on the couch with a smug grin.
“Do something that matters to her,” Sebastian suggests. “Something that tells her you understand what she needs and will respect it, even if you’re bound to occasionally put your foot in your mouth.”
Finishing my burger, I mull over his words. “You’re right,” I tell Sebastian.
“Don’t take all the credit,” Blake tells Sebastian. “It’s still called groveling, and I suggested it.”
An idea suddenly strikes me. “I have a plan, but I need two days’ time, and I need Pippa’s help. God, our sister will be so smug about this.”