Page 61 of Found By Him

He shrugs. “It changes with how I feel that day. Right now, it’s gone wrong.”

I sit at my desk and take a sip from my beer. I can’t quite understand, but I think I get the idea enough that I don’t push him any more. I hope they figure their shit out for Gisella’s sake.

Ian and I are very much alike. Nate always jokes he has to be the happy, positive one of the group to counteract Ian and my seriousness.

Ian and I were in the military together. We kept in touch after we parted ways. I hadn’t spoken to him in a few months when he called me out of the blue, saying he needed a job after being discharged. He stayed in after I left to do mercenary work, told me one of his last missions went catastrophically wrong, but he didn’t discuss it further. Even though he hides it well, he struggles with whatever happened. I hope he finds someone to talk to about it, preferably professionally. But at the very least, personally. I know things like that can’t be forced.

I tell him about the pictures. He’s just as dumbfounded as the rest of us.

“How is Ella handling it?”

I shrug. “All things considered, she’s handling all of this remarkably well. She’s definitely had her moments when she’s broken down, but she’s so fucking strong. Some days, I’m in awe of her.”

His deep chuckle has me deadpanning. “You’re so fucking smitten, it’s gross. It looks like all of Nate’s romantic bullshit he’s been spewing for years has finally sunk into your thick skull.”

“Your time will come, asshole.”

If I didn’t know any better, I could have sworn heglanced in the direction of the living room. But I don’t press him, and he changes the subject.

We sit and talk about various things for another hour or so before he stands to leave.

“We going to have a problem on the way out?” I feel obligated to ask before we leave my office.

“Not unless Mags starts one.”

“Mags… Interesting.”

Ian ignores me as he walks out in the hallway. I’m grateful when we make it to the door with nothing more than a dirty look sent his way from the couch. I say goodbye to him and head to the kitchen to get some dinner.

“Maggie, you have to tell me at some point.”

I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but the open concept of my house makes that nearly impossible.

“I will. Just not right now.” Maggie sounds desperate for understanding as she answers Gisella.

I watch Gisella reach over and grasp her friend’s hand. “Okay, I’m here for you when and if you want to talk about it.”

Maggie places her other hand on top of Gisella’s. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

I bring my plate of food to our bedroom to let them enjoy their evening without me hovering. Maybe there’s a baseball game or something I can watch in bed.

Two hours later,I’m half asleep when the TV being turned off wakes me. The bed shifts as Gisella climbs into bed. Rolling toward her, I open my arms. I kiss the top of her head as she settles herself in her usual place on my chest, and I curl my arm around her shoulder.

“What a bizarre evening.”

What an understatement. “No kidding. I gathered you didn’t get any information from Maggie about what the hell that was between her and Ian?”

Gisella shakes her head against my chest. “Nope. I didn’t want to badger her too much. Did Ian tell you anything?”

I debate if he will be mad at me for telling her, but I don’t want to withhold anything. “He said they hooked up at some point.”

Gisella’s head pops up in surprise. “Really?”

I gently push her head back to my shoulder, kissing the top of her head once she is back in place. “Yes, really. But he didn’t give me any more information than that. Now let’s go to sleep.”

She hums against my chest as her hand runs down my torso and under the blanket. Her fingers slide beneath the band of my boxer briefs, and my body quickly responds as she strokes her soft hand up and down my shaft. “I have a better idea.”

I grab her hand from me and pin both of them above her head as I roll on top of her. Pressing against her wetness, I kiss her hard.

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