Page 81 of These Pucking Boys

“Fine. What time is June coming over?”

“When lunch is ready. She told me she has a busy day.”

Jake frowns. “When did you speak to her?”

“This morning. I gave her a lift to the garage.”

“Oh, so she got her car back, then.”

Someone’s phone rings. It’s not mine, and since Jake doesn’t budge, it’s probably not his either. Ryan pats his pockets, then searches for his phone in the vicinity. I spot the device before he does. It’s about to vibrate itself off the counter.

I grab it before it takes a nosedive to the floor, and see June’s name on the screen.

Instead of handing the phone over to Ryan, I answer it. “Hello, lass. We were just talking about you.” I smile, loving Ryan’s what-the-fuck expression.

“Hey, Lachy. I was calling to ask what time I should come over.”

“Are you done with your chores?”

“Well, not all of them, but I could use a break. I just came back from walking Winston, and Admiral hasn’t stopped talking since then.”

I chuckle. “Really? What is he saying?”

Ryan stops in front of me with his hand outstretched. “Hello! Can I have my phone now? She called me.”

I bat his hand away. “Bugger off.”

“I had Friends on earlier, and now he keeps saying ‘How you doin’?’ It’s driving me crazy.”

I throw my head back and laugh.

Ryan uses my moment of distraction to snatch the phone from my hand and put it on speaker. “Hey, Peaches. What did you tell Lachy that was so funny?”

“Admiral thinks he’s Joey from Friends.”

He snorts. “What?”

“I’ll tell you in person. Can I come up now?”

“Of course. The food is almost ready.”

“Okay. See you in a minute.”

Ryan ends the call and shoves his phone into his pocket while glaring at me. “Don’t answer my phone again.”

I smirk. “You’re only pissed cause it was June.”

He narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw. I expect a retort, but he simply turns around and checks on the food.

A moment later, there’s a knock on the door. Jake is closest to it and does the honors of opening it. “Hello, beautiful.” He leans down and kisses June on the cheek.

“Hi,” she replies shyly, and when she steps forward, I see the delicious blush on her cheeks. Damn it. Now I’m hungry for her, not food.

Unable to restrain myself, I walk over and pull her into a bear hug. “Hey, lass.”

She laughs, hugging me back. “Hi, Lachy.”

“Would you give Peaches room to breathe? Jesus,” Ryan complains from the kitchen.

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