Page 20 of Where We Bloom

A shiver runs through me, and I take a deep breath. Isoneed to get that sexy Irishman out of my head.

Then Number Two’s eyes widen in surprise. “Billie?”

“Hey, cousin.”

Gabe leans in to kiss my cheek and grins at me. “You look like you’re up to no good, baby doll.”

Gabe is aflirt.

“What can we do for you?” Number One asks.

“I honestly came over here so my friends would pay for my dry-cleaning.”

Number One’s eyebrows climb. “Now we need to know everything. Have a seat, beautiful.”

I climb onto a stool, and both men hover close by. I wish I could say that I feel tingles of excitement, but I don’t.

Not one fucking tingle in sight.

I mean, obviously I wouldn’t for my cousin, but not even Number One is giving me a spark.

Goddamn you, Connor.

“So we’re all women over there, right?”

“A gorgeous group of women,” Gabe agrees, eyeing them over my shoulder.

“And most of those girls are going home to men tonight. My brothers, in fact, but that’s a long story. Anywho, I’m a little tipsy, and I mentioned thatyou’rea handsome fella.” I point at Number One, who preens while Gabe chuckles. “But then it was pointed out to me that you’re with him”—I point at Gabe, who smiles back—“and I said, what if they want a third?”

I swallow hard.I cannot believe I just said that out loud.

Gabe starts to cough.

“I mean, you’re my cousin, and that’s not happening in this or any other lifetime, but the girls don’t know that because Alex and Dani haven’t recognized you yet, and Ireallywanted them to pay for my dry-cleaning. So I was dared to come over here and ask.”

“How much is your dry-cleaning?” Gabe asks.

“It averages over a thousand dollars a month.”

“Holy shit,” Gabe says. “Yeah, I’d do it, too.”

“Do you want an answer to your intriguing question?” Number One asks.

“Wait.” I hold up a hand. “What is your name?”

“I’m Adam,” Number One says.

“Adam and Gabe. Got it. I’m Billie, Gabe’s cousin on my dad’s side. Nice to meet you, Adam. Okay, you cangive me an answer so I can take it back to the table, and we can talk about it.” I push a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“If you weren’t his cousin, fuck yes, we’d take you home with us,” Adam says as his eyes move from my face, down my body, and back up again. “We love to share, sweetheart.”

“Shut up.” I roll my eyes, but Adam leans in and plants his lips at my ear.

And there might be half a tingle.

“You’re fucking gorgeous, baby girl.” His fingertips ghost down my arm. Gabe’s gaze catches mine, and he winks at me.

“You know, that’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day,” I reply and then give them a sassy smile. “I’ll go relay the message.”

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