"You're right. It isn't." His expression softens a little. "But I can think of worse things than being romantically linked to…"
He stops, his eyes drifting over to Levi, who's standing in the corner of the room, watching us with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Drinks, anyone?" my brother says suddenly with a clap of his hands.
I look at the time. "It's eight in the morning."
"We're celebrating," Levi counters. "Or commiserating. One or the other. Whatever the occasion, alcohol will surely make it better."
"I'm fine," Fraser says. "Thanks, though."
"Evie?"
"Nope. I'm good."
"Fine. I'll drink by myself, then. Thanks, guys." And with that, he leaves the room.
"I was going to say…" Fraser inches closer to me. "I can think of worse things than being romantically linked to the most beautiful woman in the arena last night."
Another wow moment.
The crazy thing is, I don't think he even realizes how sweet the things he's saying are.
"Oh. Before I forget…" He stands and walks out of the room.
When he returns, he's holding a bouquet of yellow roses in one hand and a tray of baked goods in the other.
No. Don't tell me he bought?—
"Hope you still like malasadas?" He chews his bottom lip. "Based on last night's dinner, I'm assuming your palette hasn't changed too much these past seven years."
"Nope. It's still as unhealthy as ever." I do grabby hands. "Gimme, gimme, gimme."
Fraser chuckles, laying the bouquet over the sports pages and opening the box for me. I close my eyes and inhale the appetizing aroma of freshly fried dough and caramelized sugar.
I pick up one of the treats and take a bite. "Mmm…You are officially my favorite person ever."
"Uh, hello. Favorite brother back in the room."
I giggle and take another bite.
"What are they?" Levi asks, peering into the box.
"Portuguese donuts," Fraser tells him. "Evie used to be obsessed with them. Try one."
"Can't." He lifts his glass. "Don't think it'd pair well with vodka."
"Levi!" I cry out. "It's eight in the morning."
"Five past eight," he corrects, smirking. "And I'm kidding, geez. This is water." But then he straightens, his head snapping to Fraser. "Wait. How did you know Evie went through a malasada era?"
Fraser looks at me.
I look at Levi.
Oh, brother…
Literally.