Page 32 of My Ex's Brothers

Not looking where I’m going, with my brain distracted, I nearly pummel right into someone. A woman. Shit.

“I’m so sorry,” I say as I extend my arms to steady the woman, my eyes going wide when I see the object of my carelessness is none other thanher.

“Tripp?” Amelia’s bright blue eyes blink, her long lashes as dark as the eyeliner smudged around them. The dark makeup makes the color stand out like fresh ice, right after it’s been hit with the Zamboni.

“Mia…” I say, swallowing hard. My cock jumps to attention, my brain trying to replay the thoughts from earlier, but I push them down. Now isnotthe time…

“What uh…what are you doing here?” she asks, blinking furiously. I watch as she bites her lip, my hands staying on her arms. I make no move to drop them, my gaze flitting to her mouth.

Remembering just what it felt like against mine…

“I go here,” I say, like an idiot.

“Right,” she says, closing her eyes, shaking her head. Her blonde curls bounce on her shoulders and the urge to reach out and run my hands through her hair is damn near overwhelming.

“What areyoudoing here?” I ask, my fingers twitching. I settle the urge by grabbing my backpack strap. The need to touch her is almost unbearable.Not appropriate, Tripp!“And where’s the little princess?”

Amelia purses her lips, letting out a sigh. “Well, uh…I’m actually applying for a job. Here,” she says, tucking some hair behind her ear. We shift out of the way of some students walking by.

“And Lyla is at home…with Sam.”

“Sam…” I say, my voice taking on an edge of jealousy. Who the fuck isSam?

“Samantha Cardwyle. My best friend…she…we used to work together at Sasson. She still works there. Today’s her off day, and I saw this ad in the paper at the coffee shop earlier in the week and?—”

She shakes her head as my nerves settle. Okay, so Sam is a girl. That shouldn’t matter, I know that, but it makes me feel better.

Her words settle on me, and it’s my turn to blink.

“Wait, what? You’re applying for a job here? What job?” I ask, excitement lacing my voice. She smiles, taking a small step toward me, and like magnetism, I fall into her space. She smells like a mixture of baby powder and flowers and it’s a weird sort of combination, but it isn’t unpleasant.

In fact, I kind of like it, if I’m being honest.

“Um…administrative assistant.” She gives me a soft smile.

She didn’t mention anything about applying for a job in her text messages. And Dane certainly didn’t mention anything, which makes me feel a little shitty.

She didn’t tell us. Not that shehasto run her life by any of us, but…

Still, it would have been nice to know. And I’m sure Dane or Rich could’ve pulled little princess duty if she needed it.

I know my brothers want to help. Dane is pretty obvious, but I’ve also seen the way Richie listens, the way he responds when Dane mentions Amelia. He knows what it’s like to have the world ripped out from under you. Richie hasn’t had an easy go, and his divorce was brutal. At least that’s what I gathered, because everyone was always pretty quiet about it.

But I can tell he wants to help too, even if he’s not as vocal about it as Dane is.

Dex is still our brother. As pissed as we might be athim, we all know Amelia doesn’t deserve to struggle and suffer because he was a fucking douchebag and an idiot.

“Cool,” I say, trying to hide my overexcitement. Just because she’s applying for the gig doesn’t mean she’ll get it, and I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.

“I should uh…really get going. I don’t want to be late for my interview.”

I glance down the hall toward the gym, then back toward the front of the building. “You uh…want some company on the way?” I ask, noting the smile that crosses her face. Her cheeks turn the slightest shade of pink, which makes me grin.

“I think I’d like that, actually,” she says, and I nod in response.

“Well, come on then, Mamma Mia,” I say, and she giggles.

She has the cutest little giggle. Next to Lyla, of course.

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