Page 33 of Hard to Take

The fact that Clay’s here means Miles is getting home anytime.

I try to put it out of my head as we finish preparing.

* * *

An hour later, the open concept great room and kitchen is full of a couple dozen Kodiaks, family, and friends.

“The team is heading into the midseason tournament,” Chloe’s saying to me, Nova and Sierra. “It’s good for the press and the fans to stay excited through the holidays. The winning team and players get a bonus.”

“How are their chances?” Sierra asks.

“Better than they were a few weeks ago,” Chloe admits. “Especially after last night.”

My gaze drags toward the sound of the door just as Miles walks in.

He’s in jeans and a blue button-down that matches his eyes and pulls across his broad shoulders and the muscles of his chest. His hair is styled straight up. I want to brush a hand across the top to see how it’d feel, or what he’d do if I did.

My brother comes in after him.

“The man of the hour!” Atlas calls, clapping Miles on the back.

It’s a few minutes before Miles wanders over to our group, a beer in hand.

“Nice place.” He looks around, admiring.

“Thanks, Miles.” Nova’s eyes soften.

“I remember how stressed Clay was before the wedding,” Miles says. “Trying to get the perfect house.”

“I can’t imagine him doing that,” Chloe says, shaking her head.

“I can,” Sierra counters. “He bought half the bar to help out my dad. It’s always the ones who act tough that have a soft heart underneath.”

Miles and I share a smile.

“Brooke! You have to show the girls your Vivaro.”

“Her what?” Sierra and Chloe chorus, exchanging a look.

“It’s this line of sexy underwear Brooke’s going to partner with.”

I feel Miles’s eyes on me.

“I’ve heard of them,” Chloe says. “Don’t they make yoga clothes?”

“They’re branching out,” I confirm.

“And they sent you free lingerie? Sweet, maybe I need to be an influencer,” Sierra decides before Chloe asks her a question about how to mix a drink, and Nova’s called away by her husband.

“So you’re going to be a lingerie model now.”

The teasing in Miles’s voice makes me angle my head. “I haven’t decided. You think I could hack it?”

His gaze skims down my figure. “I think you’d break the internet.”

I love the way he looks at me. As if I’m at the center of every fantasy he’s ever had.

My palms are sweating. I drop my clutch and when I bend to pick it up, something shiny falls out.

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