Alecia sends me one last long look and then walks out of Blake’s office, head held high and hair pulled up in a smooth twist at the back of her head, if a bit unruly today. She’s wearing a pink suit that fits her like a glove, molded to her amazing figure, and the sexiest heels I’ve ever seen. The confusion in her brown eyes sends an unexpected pain through my chest, but I quickly dismiss it.
I can understand that for the sake of professionalism she’s turned down my advances over the past year, but she never once mentioned that she was in a relationship.
Had I known, I would have backed off long ago. I don’t poach on another man’s territory.
Ever.
Certainly not on a man that I consider my friend and a respected colleague.
“So, like Alecia said, the wines were a hit with your brother and Meg,” Blake says, as he sits behind his desk.
“I’m happy to hear it,” I reply and smile to myself. It’s still a bit of a surprise to hear the words your brother.
I have four of them, and despite knowing them now for more than a year, there are moments that it still knocks me back a step. I’ve grown to love the Montgomery family, and to my utter shock, they’ve welcomed me into the family as if I’d been with them since birth.
But I wasn’t.
“How many bottles will I need to order?” Blake asks, bringing me from my thoughts.
“None. My staff will take care of it. We have plenty on hand.”
Blake cocks a brow in surprise. “It’s a lot of wine.”
“I have a lot of wine,” I reply with a smirk.
“Okay, one less thing for me to worry about.” He shrugs and taps some keys on his computer. “So, we need to talk about the family reunion event late next month.”
“Yes.” I lace my fingers and cross my legs. “Did they decide on a menu?”
“They can’t come to an agreement.” He rolls his eyes. “Some are vegetarians. Some aren’t. Blah, blah, blah.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’ll figure it out. I can choose a red and a white that will compliment almost anything and call it a day.”
“That works.” He nods. “You know, you should hire someone to handle all this stuff for you.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Seriously. Alecia does this stuff. You should hire her to organize your events.”
No. Way. “I’m quite sure Alecia is busy enough with her own business and her relationship.”
His eyes jerk up to mine and his hands still on his keyboard. “Alecia’s in a relationship?”
I cock my head to the side and narrow my gaze on my friend. “You’re going to tell me you’re not sleeping with her?”
Blake blinks and then laughs, clapping his hands as if I’ve just told the best joke all year.
I don’t find it particularly funny.
“No.” He shakes his head and goes back to typing on the computer. “That ship has sailed, man.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that she and I started out as fuck buddies and discovered that we actually liked each other, but weren’t in love with each other. God, I haven’t slept with Leash in…almost two years.” He shakes his head again and chuckles.
“You’re very affectionate for a friend.”
He stops typing again and watches me for a moment before answering. I don’t drop my gaze.
“I love her like a sister. I know her, inside and out, and would do just about anything for her. She’s probably one of the best people I know. She had a shit day, and needed a hug. So I gave her one.”
She had a shit day. And I added to it, no doubt.
“I’m sorry that I misunderstood.”
Blake leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers together. “You’re interested.”
“I’ve been interested for a long while,” I admit, and rub my hand over my mouth in agitation. “She’s made it clear that she doesn’t return the sentiment.”
“Hmm.” He focuses on something over my shoulder, briefly lost in thought. “It’s not a bad idea.”
“What?”
“You and Alecia.”
“Did you not just hear what I said?” I shake my head and turn my attention to my phone, pulling up my notes for the family reunion. “So, a white and a red—”
“Alecia says no to everyone,” he interrupts. “She’s not quick to trust. But I think you would be good together.”
“Thank you so much for your approval,” I reply dryly.
“Oh, you’ll need it,” he says perfectly calmly. “Because without it, you’d be fucked.”
I simply stare at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Alecia doesn’t have contact with her family. I’m it. If I didn’t like you, it would be a no-go.”
“It’s a no-go anyway. She’s. Not. Interested.”
He shrugs and returns to his computer. “Seems to me a girl like Alecia might be worth a little extra effort.”
The anger and frustration is swift. Extra effort? I’ve tried to get her to go out with me for a fucking year. The answer is always the same: thank you, but no.
I hate hearing that fucking word. No.
***
“Hey, handsome brother!” Jules grins, her blonde hair loose around her pretty face. She’s wearing a flowy, red sundress and looks amazing.
“Ciao, bella,” I reply and kiss her cheek.
“Me too!” Natalie says and leans in to kiss me, then presses herself against me for a long hug.
Along with four brothers and all of their beautiful women, I gained two beautiful sisters as well. Natalie, like me, was brought into the fold later in life, after her own parents were killed in an accident. It seems the Montgomerys enjoy adding to their brood.
“Ciao, cara,” I whisper into her ear. Her dark hair has been braided down her back. She’s in jeans and a tank top, looking happy and beautiful. “To what do I owe the honor of being invited to lunch with you two?”
“We just wanted to see you,” Natalie replies innocently.
“What she means is,” Jules begins as she gives the menu a quick look, tosses it on the table, and then leans toward me, her elbows planted on the wrought iron. “We need dirt.”