Page 51 of Shelter from the Storm

“Buns,” Levi replied, grinning widely.

“Sounds great.” Theo’s reply must’ve lacked the right level of enthusiasm, because Levi’s eyes narrowed with concern.

“You okay?”

Theo started to nod but wound up shaking his head instead. He hadn’t told anyone about the kiss. Hell, he hadn’t come right out and told any of his brothers that Gretchen was the one, though he hadn’t exactly been hiding it. He’d caught more than a few curious glances from Sam and Jace at the brewery whenever he and Gretchen were together. Probably because Theo was constantly coming up with excuses to see her at the office, and he invited her to join them in all their after-hours shenanigans, and whenever she was in the vicinity, he was stuck to her side like she’d bathed in super glue.

“What’s going on?” Levi asked.

“It’s Gretchen,” he said miserably, confused when his big brother chuckled.

“You figured it out, huh?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Figured what out?”

“That’s she’s the one.”

Theo snorted. “Shit. I figured that out the day we met.”

Levi leaned back against the couch cushions, clearly settling in for a long story.

Before Theo could launch into it, Sam, Jace, and Maverick walked into the living room.

Sam, astute as always, homed in on Theo’s stressed-out expression—and Levi’s too-pleased one—and connected the dots quickly. “Is he finally ready to tell us about Gretchen?”

Levi nodded. “You got here just in time.”

“Am I that transparent?” Theo asked, even though he knew in this case, he was.

“Jesus. You all but hung a sign around her neck that said Property of Theo Storm the first week she was here,” Jace joked.

Then Maverick chimed in. “I reached out to shake her hand when you introduced us, and I swear to God you growled under your breath.”

Theo didn’t think he’d made a noise, though there was certainly a chance he had. Maverick had a reputation as a ladies’ man around town, and while he’d never been the jealous sort, Theo’s vision had gone a bit red at the idea of Maverick working his charm on Gretchen.

“You’re with her every damn day,” Jace added. “Even the weekends. She eats dinner here at least once or twice a week, something no other employee has ever done.”

Sam joined the fray. “You’re a happy-go-lucky guy, Theo. You always have been, but I’ve never seen you smile as much as you have this past month or so.”

Theo threw up his hands. “You’re right! About all of it. I’m crazy about her.”

Jace sank down on the recliner closest to Theo’s end of the couch, while Sam grabbed the one near Levi. Maverick remained by the door, leaning casually against the jamb. Probably because, unlike his other brothers, Maverick was the only one who put zero stock in Dad’s belief in love at first sight. For some reason, talking about love and romance and happily ever after made his brother uncomfortable.

“When did you know she was the one?” Jace leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“She stopped by the brewhouse a few days before she started work.”

Sam and Jace nodded, aware of that fact, since they’d been there.

“Gretchen came into my office, and we chatted for a few minutes. She started to leave, but I convinced her to join me for a drink at the brewery. I walked around my desk and said I was looking forward to working with her. I held out my hand, and she put hers in mine and…”

“Fireworks?” Levi asked.

“The planet tilted on its goddamn axis. I can’t believe I managed to remain standing,” he admitted.

“Love at first touch,” Jace breathed. “It happened to you just like it did Levi.”

Theo nodded in affirmation. “I’ve never felt anything that powerful.”

---