Page 17 of The Very Naughty List

I give my brother a hug goodnight as he heads out, and then the triplets walk me to my car.

“Okay, so who’s taking her out on a date first?” Reid looks at his brothers before quickly suggesting that he should be the one to make plans with me first.

“Like hell,” Sebastian argues. “I’ve already got a great idea for a date, so I’m going first.”

“You guys really don’t need to take me out on dates,” I say with a laugh. “I think that what you did here at the bar was enough to get the point across to everyone.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth though, I immediately regret them. Because after the fun we had tonight, I reallydowant to go out with each of them one-on-one.

“Nah.” Nick makes a noise in his throat, shaking his head. “It’s a good idea for us to be seen doing stuff with you. If thiswere real, we’d want to spend every waking minute with you. We need to make it believable.”

Something flutters through me at the sincerity in his tone, and I look away from him as I nod. He’s got a point.

“Okay,” I say to Sebastian. “So what’s your idea?”

He arches the brow that has a little scar through it, shaking his head at me without answering.

“Not so fast there, shortcake. You have to promise you’ll go with me before I tell you what it is.”

“What? That’s not fair!” I laugh and look to Reid and Nick for backup, but they’re both staying out of it. Finally, I relent. “Okay, fine. I’ll go. Now tell me what it is, please.”

He flashes me his widest smile. “I’m going to take you to do the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Monroe tomorrow morning.”

My jaw drops. “Are you serious? There’s no way in hell that I’m doing that with you. The lake is fuckingfreezingthis time of year! I’ve heard they literally have to cut away the ice by the shoreline to make it possible.”

“But you already promised! Besides, I’ll keep you warm.” He gives me a look that probablycouldthaw ice, and I have to work to keep the flush from traveling up my face. Then he waggles his eyebrows, taking a step closer to me. “Come on, Bennett. I dare you. You aren’t scared, are you?”

The other two men chuckle—probably because they know that Sebastian has shamelessly hit on my weak point. Maybe it’s from growing up with an older brother, but Ihateto back down from a challenge. Sebastian and I managed to get each other into trouble a couple of times when I was younger by throwing down dares or bets for each other, and he clearly knows that it’s his best chance of getting me to go with him.

And… dammit. He’s right.

“All right.” I scrunch up my face, already regretting this. “Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll meet you by Lake Monroe in the morning.”

Sebastian raises his arm in victory, his blue-green eyes shining in the dim light outside the bar. “There she is! The girl we know and love.”

His easy affection makes something warm and soft spread through my chest. I know he doesn’t mean it in a romantic way, but it’s still nice knowing how solidly these three men are on my side. If I was worried that being away for two years would change things between us, those fears were clearly unfounded. If anything, the Cooper brothers seem even more protective of me than they used to be, and they all seem happy to have me back.

I like that. A lot.

“I’m taking you out too,” Reid puts in. “Sebastian doesn’t get to have all the fun. Besides, I’m the first one you technically agreed to ‘date,’ so that means I should at least get to go second.”

It’s kind of endearing to watch as the three brothers create a running order for who will take me out when, even if they are only fake dates. There’s something about having these three ruggedly handsome men all arguing over their chance to hang out with me that’s simultaneously sweet and a little daunting.

Nick clears his throat, his expression stoic and serious as he tells me, “My date with you won’t be anything as dumb as taking you to the Polar Bear Plunge.”

Sebastian makes an indignant noise, and I bite back a grin.

Reid opens my car door for me, and I climb inside behind the wheel. He bends down a little, the light from the neon signs in the bar window reflecting off the copper strands in his brown hair.

“‘Night, trouble,” he tells me. “Go get some rest. You’re going to need it if you’re doing that stupid plunge in the morning.”

I nod, and he closes the door for me.

For a second, I stare out my window, watching as the Cooper brothers turn to head back toward their car. Their broad shoulders seem even wider when lined up side by side likethat, and it strikes me—not for the first time—that although separately, any one of them would be a force to be reckoned with, together, they’re devastating.

Without the heat on in my car, I’m starting to feel the cold, so I finally turn the key in the ignition and pull out of the bar parking lot, heading back to my temporary lodgings.

I figure Ted is probably already asleep in his room since it’s late, but I’m surprised to see that not only is he wide awake and sitting on the couch in the living room, he’s also smoking a blunt cigar and listening to the kind of music that makes me think someone’s dog got hit by a truck. The whole thing is rather stomach-turning.

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