Page 105 of Overexposed

“Slick,” Gem said, “we have a proposition for you.”

“A deal as it were.” Ollie picked up the thread.

“A negotiation,” Seven added. “But we’re not discussing terms until you’re up for it.”

“I’m up for it,” I said, sniffing, then accepting the tissue to wipe at my eyes before I blew my nose.

For some reason, the fact it actually made a honking sound had Seven flinching but then struggling to control his laughter, which made me feel better.

“Thank you,” I said to Ollie as he passed me a drink. It was a cold glass of wine, and I was more than ready for it. “Should Ibe drinking before we talk terms for this proposition slash deal slash negotiation?”

“It’s going to take a while,” Gem said. “Last time I checked, you enjoyed a good wager.”

I did, but what did that have to do with anything? Ollie and Gem grinned as they looked past me. Seven was curiously silent on this part.

“Okay, spill it, boys.” I had most of my equilibrium back. They were all safe and here, and we were together. My dad was fine and doing well, thanks to the guys. Then because I shouldn’t be sitting in a lap to negotiate, I got up and paced over to a second sofa, where I took a seat and eyed all three of them. “Anyone? Bueller?”

Seven snorted, a faint smile on his lips. “Excellent reference.”

I saluted him with my wine. At least I still had my sense of humor. The three looked at each other and then as if by silent consensus, they stuck their hands out.

“Oh my god, are you seriously going to rock, paper, scissors this?”

“Yep.” Ollie grinned at me. “Very democratic of us.”

The part that made me laugh was the twins. They took Ollie out in the first round. He slid past them to come sit next to me. He even stretched and dropped his arm over my shoulders. The boys kept choosing the exact same thing.

“We’re going to be here all night, and they’re both going to do scissors this time.” They stopped on scissors at the same moment I said it. Their glares amused me. After setting my wine down, I flicked open my bag and pulled out my change purse. I fished out a quarter and tossed it to Gem. “Flip the coin because now I want to know what you three are up to.”

Gem flipped the coin and let Seven call it.

“Heads,” he said.

With a smirk, Gem revealed the tails-up coin.

“You palmed it,” Seven said. “Don’t think I don’t know that trick.”

“Whatever, boys, deal with generational trauma later. What’s up?” Admittedly, the more hell they gave each other, the better I was feeling. I also liked Ollie being right here, where I could lean against his shoulder.

“You remember how we met?” Gem said, eyeing me.

“Pretty hard to forget. You were in my spot.”

He blinked. “What?”

“That corner stool. It’s my favorite, and you were sitting in it. So when I had the chance to get it, I had to take it.” Had I not mentioned this before? I could have sworn I did.

“I thought that was a joke.” The shocked look on Gem’s face was priceless. “So if I hadn’t been sitting in your spot…”

I shrugged. “I might not have talked to you.” Then, because he looked so genuinely troubled by that, I continued, “Which would have been a terrible shame. Though I still think you hitting on Flip as Seven would have been hilarious.”

Seven whipped his head up to stare at me. “Excuse me? Also, who the fuck is Flip?”

“No one,” Gem said, his grin growing. “Just a guy, and you owe me, Sev. I had to clean up at pool to make sure she didn’t win that bet.”

“Eh,” I said. “I still feel like I won.” Gem held my gaze and all the warmth unfolded in my chest. I adored that man.

“Me too,” Gem said with a sigh. “You surprised me that night. You keep surprising me. I love how you do it. I love you.”

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