Page 14 of Branson's Promise

“Okay, let’s all take a breather.” I turned to Noel, walking forward and taking his hand. The scowl he’d once again aimed at Milo dropped and his lips twitched up into a breathtaking smile, the lines of his brow softening with the move. “Firstly, thank you for organising breakfast. I do appreciate the gesture. For future reference though, a bowl of cereal and a mug of coffee would be fine. Secondly, please tell me you went home last night and you didn’t attempt to sleep on our sofa?”

Milo laughed as he said, “Oh, you missed that whole discussion. Let’s just say that Mr Money-”

“Stop calling me that!” Noel barked and I gave Milo a look, pleading with him to not poke the bear.

Milo cleared his throat before continuing. “Noel here, moaned bitterly about the state of our perfectly comfortable sofa and then tried to order us a new one. He wanted to buy you a fucking couch! The guy has more money than sense!”

“The ‘guy’ is standing right here,” Noel snapped back at Milo but he continued on as if Noel hadn’t said a word.

“I explained as politely as possible -”

“Well, that’s a lie. You were rude as fuck,” Noel interrupted. I was getting whiplash from their back and forth. “I simply offered to get you something more comfortable. Milo took offence to that and kicked me out. So no, gorgeous, I didn’t stay here last night. Your housemate made sure of that.”

A soft, lightly accented voice broke through the tension in the room.

“Um, Sir?Excusezmoi, but shall I start the breakfast?” Emile’s eyes darted between the three of us, unsure of who to settle on.

Noel looked to me; his brow raised in question. From next to him, Milo stood wearing a blank expression. Turning to Emile, I asked him to list exactly what the breakfast entailed and after determining that Noel had tasked him with whipping up five dishes, three of which I could not even pronounce, he returned to the kitchen to cook French toast, at my request.

It was only once Emile had left the room and I flopped down on the sofa, groaning and rubbing at the throbbing in my temples, that I realised that I had once again greeted a guest in my underwear.

Mum would be so disappointed.

Breakfast was delicious. I wanted Emile to cook for me every day but I didn't dare say that because I was sure Noel would make it happen which would be utterly ludicrous and because I was also sure by the side eye Milo kept shooting at Noel, that it would only ramp up the tension in the room. As if the tension wasn’t already suffocating.

With breakfast over, Noel went to see Emile out and Milo disappeared down the hall. Feeling completely torn and guilty over the events of the morning, I poured another mug of coffee in myYes, Daddymug and walked to Milo’s room, rapping lightly on the door.

“Come in.” I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. Milo was sitting on his bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when I entered, and his lips settled into a smile. I was momentarily taken aback by how beautiful he was. His eyes, a light brown, looked golden in the light streaming through his window, his lashes were thick and dark, and his hair, which was almost black was sleep ruffled. His cheeks wore a pink hue that deepened when I smiled back at him and I noticed a tattoo I hadn't before to the right of his navel. Visible only now because the Henley he wore had lifted, showing off a gorgeous sliver of skin and a dark trail of hair leading down towards the waistband of his sweats.

Milo cleared his throat, pulling me from my perusal of him. “Bran?”

“Yeah, um, sorry. Had a moment there. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for all of this.” I waved my hand at the door behind me, then slowly walked over and sat next to him on the bed. His scent was intoxicating, - earthy and peppery mixed with sweat. I resisted the urge to move closer. “I know he can be a bit much, but he’s a good guy.”

“If you say so,” Milo replied, looking down at his hands, his nose wrinkling as he did. I bent my head to try and meet his eyes, smiling when they locked with mine.

“He really is. I think he just had a very different upbringing to us, and he doesn’t always think before he acts. Especially where money is concerned.” An expression I couldn’t decipher crossed Milo’s face and his brows scrunched together briefly before he schooled his features.

“It’s always about the money, isn’t it? I hate it. The way he tosses it around reminds me too much of my fa-” he cut himself off, shaking his head. My guess was that he was going to sayfatherand that had my interest piqued. Neither Milo nor Mia had ever mentioned their parents or anything about their childhoods. I’d always respected their privacy so never asked but that didn’t stop me being curious. Especially now, when it seemed like something about Noel was setting Milo off.

“Can you try to get along with him, please?” They were both going to be in my life, of that I was one hundred percent sure. Though in what capacity, I had no idea yet. I didn’t want to constantly feel like they were about to rip each other to pieces, though.

“Because he’s going to be around more?” Milo asked, his voice resigned.

“Probably. I mean, yes. He’s my friend. The chances are he will be over from time to time.” His eyes hadn’t left mine. Milo bit his lower lip and my gaze fell to them. Pink and lush. I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a light sheen of sweat breaking out along the skin there.

“You like him more than just as a friend though, don’t you?” Milo had my number. I may have no idea how any of this would play out but I wasn’t a liar, even if I did lie to myself.

“I do.”

He nodded briefly, stunning me with his next question. “And me? Last night, what you said about liking me. Did you mean it?”

I swallowed over the lump in my throat. You know that saying about no buses arriving and then suddenly two buses arrive at once? Welcome to my life. I suddenly found myself with two amazing men in my life, and no idea what to do about it. It was quite possible my honesty was going to implode it all anyway.

The truth was that I had tried to tamper down my feelings for both of them, unsuccessfully. But Noel had been there first, and had I not been actively holding him away, we may have already been something to each other. Something more.

I wanted to give us a chance, even if there was a risk he wanted nothing more than sex and in a few weeks’ time I would end up alone again.

“Yes. I meant it.” Milo’s lips parted a fraction, a small smile playing on them as his eyes brightened. Inwardly, I chastised myself for the false hope.

---