Page 83 of Until It Was Real

I am a lucky bastard.

Miles scowls. “Maybe I was referring to something else.”

She lifts her eyebrows. “Such as his relationship with Captain Cranky?”

I groan. I am never going to hear the end of how some stupid chicken sat on my shoulder all morning at the petting zoo.

“Did someone say Captain Cranky?” Kai asks as he joins us.

“Is no one working?” I ask.

“Jaxon is. The man doesn’t know how to stop. He’s a machine.” Kai feigns retching.

“And Eli’s working, too.” Miles points to Eli’s office door, which is shut.

Zane snorts. “Sure, he’s ‘working’. Paisley snuck in there fifteen minutes ago.”

Miles rubs his hands together. “Excellent. We should create an emergency and disturb them.”

Dakota raises her hands. “You’re on your own with this one.”

Zane pouts. “But you’re excellent at pranks.”

She grins. “I am. But I don’t need to see my boss’s naked ass ever again.”

I growl. “When did you see Eli’s naked ass?”

“When I walked in on him with Paisley bent over his desk.” She shivers. “I learned to knock on his door awful quick.”

“Welp. If we’re not pranking Eli, let’s go get some lunch,” Kai says.

“Awesome. I’m starving.” Miles rubs his belly.

Dakota’s stomach growls and her eyes widen as she slams a hand over her middle.

Zane throws an arm over her shoulders. “Little sis is hungry, too.”

“Little?” Dakota asks.

“You may be older but you’re height challenged.”

She glares at him. “I am not short.”

“Didn’t say you were. I used the term height challenged. It’s more inclusive. You should try it.”

She elbows him and he yelps as he releases her. “I am not height challenged. The Raider brothers are abnormally tall.” She studies Zane. “Is it to compensate for other shortcomings?”

“Uh oh.” Kai shakes his head at me. “You’ve disappointed her in bed.”

My gaze meets Dakota’s. “Is this the hill you want to die on? Claiming I disappointed you in bed?”

Her cheeks darken. “I didn’t say anything of the sort! It was Kai!”

“Come on.” Miles herds her out of my office and down the hallway. “Let’s discuss this over lunch.”

“You better be buying,” she mutters.

“Big brother’s buying. Apparently, he has stuff to make up for.” Miles winks at her.

---