“Because I can. Let’s be honest, I’m a little overqualified to be your assistant. Besides, you don’t even make me do half the shit I forced my assistant to do.” Milo grins.
I put my hand up. “I don’t want to know.”
“I didn’t ask her to do that,” he clarifies.
Glad to know.
“Still, quitting isn’t the answer for either of us.”
I can’t quit. Milo shouldn’t either. He and his brother need this time, whether he understands that or not. Their relationship has been strained for so long, and seeing each other at work has given them a small bridge.
If one would just cross it, that would be great.
“Well, I’m not going to sneak around as if we’re doing something scandalous. Although . . . fucking my boss is rather dirty.”
“You’re an ass.”
“I like your arse, sweetheart.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ll never see it again if you quit.”
He lies back, still finding a way to touch my skin. “Then what is your plan?”
“I don’t have one!” I laugh. “This is why we’re talking it through.”
“I’m more of an action guy. Talking is fucking boring.”
How does he function in life? I wonder sometimes. But this is why he and Callum disagree. I need to have details so I can make the best decision possible. I’m not a bull in a china shop, trampling everything.
Freaking men.
“Regardless, we need to try to find the best solution. You need this job, Milo.”
He scoffs. “You and my brother bloody wish I did.”
“How are you working here?” I decide it’s time to lead him to a real answer.
“Are you fucking with me?”
“No. I’m asking how is it that you’re able to work for Dovetail?”
Seriously, I can’t wait for the answer to slap him in the face.
“My brother is the owner!”
“Yes,” I sigh. “And are you an American?”
Milo rubs his temples. “Clearly not.”
“Right. So, again, how do you get to stay in America, Milo?”
He takes a second to actually think about what I’m saying and I then his eyes flash with awareness.
“Fuck! I have to work for that bastard because I need the damn work Visa.”
Ding, ding, ding.
“Yeah, so sit for a minute and let’s find a way around this.” His mouth opens and I don’t even need him to speak. I lift my hand to his lips to stop him before he can utter a word. “Don’t even say we should get married because we are nowhere close to that.”
“Fine.”
I try not to laugh but his petulant face is making it hard.
“Milo, if and when you and I ever get to that point, it won’t be because you don’t want to hide the fact that we’re dating at the office. It should be because we can’t live without each other.”
He grabs my arms, pulling me to his chest and I squeak. “Who says I can live without you?” he replies.
Now he’s just crazy. “I don’t doubt the idea of living without me is hard. I’m kind of awesome, but let’s not go there, okay?”
“All right, but only if you kiss me.”
Now that I can do.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Milo
“I’m happy, Mum. I really like her.” It’s been twenty minutes of her carrying on about Callum and I abandoning her. I swear, she was never this dramatic when we were little boys. What happened?
“I’m happy for you, but that doesn’t mean I want both my boys that far away,” she keeps on.
“I’m not coming back to London anytime soon, but maybe you could come for holiday in a few months? There’s a big barbeque you might enjoy. Plus, don’t you want to come see Colin?”
Her first grandson, you’d think she would’ve moved in with my brother by now.
“Maybe,” she sighs.
“It would mean a lot to us. I think you’d get on with her quite well. She has a daughter and son who have never had real English chocolate.”
She doesn’t say anything, but I can hear her smile. Mum spent twenty years working for Cadbury. Sweets are her weakness, and the idea that she can share something with them that she loves might just be the ticket.
“I guess I don’t have a choice then.”
I grin. “I guess not.”
“You like this girl, Milo?”
I sit in my chair, looking out at the skyline of Tampa, thinking of her. “I think I love her, Mum.”
She gasps. “Oh.”
“I know, I don’t know what’s come over me, but she’s amazing and brilliant. When I’m away from her I want to be near her. When she’s close, I don’t want to leave.”
Mum sniffs and then starts blubbering. “Oh, darling. I’m so happy for you. It’s just . . . it’s wonderful.”
“So you’ll come here for a visit?”
“Yes. I want to meet this girl,” she laughs. “I’ll ring you soon.”
“Goodnight, Mum.”
“Goodnight, Milo. I love you very much, no matter what you think of me.”
She disconnects the phone before I can reply, but it makes me happy to know she’s on board.
I send a quick text to Callum.
* * *
Me: Mum is going to come for holiday.
* * *
Callum: How did you manage that one? She told me to sod off.
* * *
I smile at the opportunity he’s given me.
* * *
Me: Because I’m the favourite. She just wanted to pad your ego by letting you think you were better than me. News Flash: You’re not.
* * *
Callum: Fuck off.
* * *
Me: Mature, brother. Anyway, I’ll let you know when I have more information.
* * *
Callum: Sounds good.
* * *
I have something else I need to talk to Callum about. Instead of doing it over the phone or text, I think it should be done in person.
* * *
Me: Can I stop over?
* * *
Callum: Is everything all right?
* * *
Me: Yes, you fucking nosey bastard, can I come or not?
* * *
Callum: Yes, fine, come by.
* * *
Such a prick.
I get in my car and drive the ten minutes to his house. He and Nicole live in a similar flat. He’s just closer to the water.
Nervous energy fills me as I get to his door. I’m going to quit—again.
The first time went down like a lead balloon. I can’t wait to see how this time goes. Even though the bastard has been hoping for this moment, he only seems to prefer it when it’s on his terms.
I knock once, and Nicole answers. “The prodigal brother returns.”
“Hello,” I say and then kiss her cheek.
“I hear your mom is coming to see us?”
Good news travels fast. “I asked her to come over Fourth of July. She’ll stay with you of course.”
Nicole laughs. “Of course. Not like you have room or complete quiet. She should definitely stay here with our full house. Maybe she’ll sleep on the couch?”
Callum walks in rubbing his neck. “Enough, Nic. We have plenty of room.” He kisses her temple. “Plus, I get to enjoy watching you behave for once while she’s here.”
“Yes. I love having to be nice to you because that woman scares me.”
“Our Mum? She scares you?” I laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”
Nicole glares at me. “Yeah, she doesn’t love me like she does you two idiots.”
This is true, but she’s far from scary. She’s sweet, when you’re on her good side.
“Give her time. She’s old and set in her ways,” I tell her.
“Whatever,” Nicole huffs. “I’ll let you two talk, I’m going to take Colin for a walk.”
“Be careful,” Callum’s voice is sharper than before. I can see the protective instinct start to rise inside him.
She rolls her eyes. “Relax, it’s Tampa and . . .”
“And your best friend’s husband was shot here not that long ago,” Cal finishes.
“That wasn’t random, babe, but okay. We’ll be careful.”
Nicole winks at me and then struts out of the room.
“Want a pint?” Callum asks.
“Sure.”
We head inside and once again I’m amazed at the way this place looks. Mine is simple and has very little furniture, where Cal has more shit than he could ever want. I’m sure if my wife were an interior designer, I’d be living like this too, instead of the bachelor pad I’m currently occupying.
Still, no matter how many times I’ve been here, it knocks you on your arse.
Callum pops the top and hands it to me. This is going to be bloody painful. I drain the drink in less than a minute, almost slamming the bottle down.