Page 73 of Love is Grand

Rylan was straight-up obsessed with her baby bump, but I wasn’t. Maybe because my guy was only part-time.

No more bump pics, I texted back, but I knew better.

An hour later, after she promised to speak with Adam about my paying the brothers back, Rylan was standing with her camera held above us, making a boomerang and then posting it on Instagram with the caption besties. Of course, she sneaked a bottle of syrup in the photo too, and tagged my brand. Later today, I’d have orders to fill as a result.

We were tucking our shirts down as, “Hey, babe, I’m here,” rang through the store.

“Oh no, no, I liked that view,” Cal said with a wink.

In seconds, I was yanked into his arms, and he was planting a kiss on me.

Wiggling free from him, I saw Jack was here too. “Oh, Jack, this guy is never going to let you go,” I said, then asked him, “Want a coffee?”

Jack nodded, and as I started making him a large, he smiled. “You have the coconut syrup?”

“Of course I do. It’s the tourists’ favorite too.”

“Like your guy here, a tourist,” Jack teased.

Cal pretended to snarl. “Hey, I have a car here and a house.”

“I don’t see you using the car,” Jack said, joking back.

“All right, all right,” Cal said, and I glanced over to take him in.

He looked delicious. His hair was a bit longer, his skin tanned from being on his rooftop, I assumed. He wore a white polo shirt and khaki shorts, along with his driving loafers. I needed to get him some flip-flops.

I poured Cal a coffee without asking, adding some syrup and half-and-half, and handed it over.

“How’s my dude?” he said, motioning to my belly.

“Safe and sound.”

“And my little lady?”

“Wants to go swimming later.”

“Her wish is my command.”

“Don’t I know it. You’re spoiling her, Cal.”

“So? Would you rather I be mean?”

“Stop. You don’t have a mean bone in your body.”

Rylan and Jack watched our banter, their heads pinging between us.

Jack looked at me. “Okay, folks, do you have city boy, here? Can I take off?”

“I have some work, but I can drop you at your place,” I said to Cal.

He nodded and then saluted Jack. “Thanks, man.”

“Thanks, babe,” Rylan said to me, kissing my cheek.

“Oh, Jack, can you carry this out for Ry?” I motioned toward the case of syrup.

“Is it going to the hotel? I’ll take it. Going there now.”

---