Page 6 of Stepbrother With Benefits

F I F T Y

- Quinn -

"So what's the plan for tonight?" Maddy asked, stealing a glance at my watch after we’d spent three hours milling around the place.

"I was thinking we'd catch some jazz in the pavilion next door and then grab some dinner. Maybe go home and have that raucous make-up sex you've been craving all week."

She knocked her shoulder into mine. "I've been craving no such thing."

"You hung your lucky panties on my doorknob."

"Did I?" she asked, pretending she didn’t remember. “Let’s go home and check.”

"Not so fast," I said, grabbing her elbow. "I want to do a quick lap of the modern wing."

She scrunched her face.

"Oh, come on," I said. "Might as well poke our noses in while we're here. Sometimes I come across something surprising."

"You mean like a blank canvas with one measly streak of yellow paint and a pretentious name that makes no sense."

"I hope you're not talking about Resuscitation because it's my favorite."

She rolled her eyes and failed to stifle a groan. "Fine, but let's make it snappy. I need some fresh air."

"Wow. You’re all hot and bothered, and we haven't even had a drink yet."

She scowled. "You're the worst."

"That's what your brother said when I told him about us."

Her head whipped towards me. "What?"

"Well, I didn’t tell him about us, per se, but I did confess my feelings for you."

Her eyes focused into little brown lasers. "And he said you were the worst?"

I recalled the sound of him dry retching and decided to skip that detail. "Among other things, all of which I deserved at some point, I’m sure."

"Did he give you his blessing?"

"If by blessing you mean threats, then yes, he gave me all the blessings."

"Wow."

"What?" I asked. "Don't you think it was time?"

"I do, yeah. I just—"

My brows lifted with her hesitation.

"You must really like me."

Her understatement made me glower. "I more than like you, Maddy."

"I more than like you, too, Quinn."

I was beyond relieved to hear that, especially considering my imminent plans. "Come on. This way." I pushed one of the double doors open for her and stepped aside so she could enter the latest installation, which was full of the kind of pretentious art she'd explicitly said she hated.

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