Page 86 of My Ex's Brothers

Dane chortles. “At least we can agree on that.”

Amelia sighs, and I realize my hand is still settled on her back while Richie’s stroking her cheek. He’s invading my space. Touching her, staring at her. But still she makes no move to shift out of my hold or away from him. In fact, it’s the opposite. She moves closer to me, dragging Richie and his touchy hands with her.

“You’re okay with me…and Amelia?” Dane asks, his voice the one to break the silence. “You’re okay with?—”

“I’m fine with what makes Ameliahappy.” I say. “And if you assholes make her happy, I’m not going to stand in the way of that.” I take two steps closer to Amelia. Gazing down into her eyes, I note the wistfulness there, the hope.

The sweetness along with the remorse.

“But I’m not going to stop pursuing her, either,” I say solidly as I stare up at Richie, burning my gaze into his. He grunts out a sound as she pulls away from him, turning to look at me. The moment she looks at me, time stands still, and I know things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.

“I meant what I said earlier, Mia.” I grab her by the chin. “If you want me, all you have to do is ask, baby,” I whisper to her. I glance at Dane with a smirk. “I’m not mad. I’m just…shocked, that’s all.”

“Shocked is the fucking understatement of the year,” Dane gripes, as Richard bites out a rather sarcastic “Seriously, Tripp?”

“Tripp,” Amelia breathes as she looks up at me.

“What you’re implying is that you are okay…dating the woman I’m also in love with?” I don’t miss the confusion in Dane’s voice.

I nod, my cock still aching. Amelia leans into me and I nod, closing my eyes.

“Both of you are just…fine with this?” Dane asks, looking between Richie and me.

“Maybe it’s not such a terrible idea,” Richie says, crossing his arms.

“What?” Amelia’s voice breaks the spell, and I realize she’s been awfully quiet.

Richie grunts a contented sound. “Think about it,” he says. “You’re not looking for a relationship right now. We all know that.”

The hallway is suddenly very quiet and Richie continues. “No, what you need issupport.That’s why you’re here. Because you’re rebuilding your life.”

His words are not lost on me. They’re heavy, and I feel the weight of them as I’m more than sure Amelia does.

Richie looks between me and Dane, then at Amelia. “Part of rebuilding is figuring out what you want. And to do that, sometimes you have to do things that challenge you. But you also have to do things that feelright.I’m not asking to marry you, Amelia. Hell, I’m not even asking to date you, like some people.” He glares at me, then at Dane.

Amelia blushes, but I notice her eyes are trained on him. She doesn’t look away.

“I’m just asking for the chance to be the guy you need sometimes.”

I don’t miss the way Richie’s eye twitches when he sayssometimes. I’ve known the guy long enough to know when he’s keeping shit to himself. I’d bet my Mustang he wants to be more than that. But Richie’s got his own problems. Divorce will do that to a guy, I guess.

So I get it. He’s trying to protect himself. Because this is complicated.

On so many fucking levels.

“If that’s enough for you, Amelia, it’s enough for me,” he says.

She nods. “Yes, I think it is,” she says as he slides his hand into her hair.

“Then I’m in,” Richie says.

“I guess I am too.” I open my eyes and stare down at Amelia. “If you’re okay dating me too.” I offer her a smirk. “Someone has to offset all those grumpy old man vibes,” I tease.

The smile that graces her face is the softest one I’ve ever seen. Her wistful, teary eyes gaze up at me and my heart beats a little faster. No one’s ever looked at me like that.

“Is that what you want, Tripp?” she asks. “To…date…me?”

I offer her a smile. “I think I’d like to date you, Amelia. Yes. Officially.”

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