Page 99 of The Flirt

"Dude, that's not how I work, and you know it,” Zachary countered. “I do my best work in the field.”

“We’re not going to war,” Beckett huffed.

God, these guys were so hilarious.

"That's debatable," Xander said, "because if all four grandparents full-on confront us about ambushing them with the boat, things could turn bloody."

Chad shook his head. "Both Isabeau and Celine have been nagging them for years to change it. They’ll side with us."

“Well, I think we got everything we came for," Zachary concluded. "We chose the boat and the day to tell them. We can go."

"We could stay for a drink," Beckett suggested.

Xander narrowed his eyes at him. "We'll have the drink somewhere else. Let's go to Julian's."

When Beckett opened his mouth, clearly in protest, Xander said, "Beckett." He glanced at me and Chad out of the corner of his eye. I wanted to bury my face in my hands, but that would be too obvious.

"Right. Sure. Let's go, then," Beckett replied awkwardly as all of us rose from the couches.

We walked them to the entrance, and as soon as they were gone, Chad turned to me, smiling. "Sorry about that."

"No, it was fun. And unexpected."

"I’ll tell them not to drop by unannounced for the rest of the week."

My stomach bottomed out once again. I didn't like the reminder that I wasn't going to be here anymore after Sunday.

"Xander and Zachary didn't seem at all surprised that I was here in the living room."

"They were. They just hid it way better than Beckett," Chad replied.

"And that's okay?"

"Sure. They were going to find out sooner rather than later."

"Good thing we weren't in the tub already. But we've wasted enough time. Let's go upstairs."

He made to lean in, but I stopped him. "That's a very firm no." He pinned me with his gaze. Well, maybe it wasn't that firm, but he didn’t need to know that. "You start kissing me, and we'll never get in that tub."

"I don't mind at all."

"But you need it."

"Oh, really?" he asked skeptically.

I took his hand and walked in front of him up the staircase. I looked over my shoulder as we reached the upper level. "Would it sweeten the offer if I told you that I plan to jump in with you?"

His face instantly lit up. "You should've led with that."

***

Chad

While the water filled the tub, I undressed in the bedroom. Scarlett was out in the hallway.

She'd better not be joking about joining me in the tub. Sure, my muscles were tense, and the hot water would do me good, but I wanted her there with me so I could spend every minute with her.

"Scarlett?" I asked. "Where are you?"

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