Page 121 of Mr. Infuriating

“Fantastic! I’ll be right there.”

I smiled warmly at Beau.

“Thanks again for your help this weekend.”

His adorable dimple was on display when he replied, “Of course, my pleasure.”

“I, uh,” I clumsily gestured with my thumb toward where Brayden sat at the kitchen table now located in the family room. “Better go over his essay with him.”

Without waiting for a reply, I spun on my heel and fled.

****

Gabe

“What the hell was that all about?” Beau said softly so only I could hear.

With my voice equally muted, I replied, “Nothing.”

“Bullshit. What did you do?”

I shook my head.

“Not here.”

We hoisted the sink from the cabinet and walked it out to the truck. The second we set it down, Beau barked, “Start talking.”

I let out a big sigh as I leaned against the wall of the box truck, then started talking, like he’d demanded.

“Before you got here Friday, we were flirting. Nothing over-the-top, but we probably would have kissed had you not rang the doorbell when you did.”

“I knew it! It was obvious there was something going on between you two. Sorry I cockblocked you.”

“It was probably a good thing you did. When I came back inside after walking you out, she basically asked me to join her in the shower—”

My brother interjected, “Nice!”

I ignored his outburst and continued. “I politely turned her down, then left.”

Beau blinked at me like I’d just told him I ate boogers for breakfast.

Finally, he burst out, “You’re kidding me! Why? Why would you turn her down? Are you stupid?”

“Maybe. But it was the right thing to do.”

“The right thing to do? How in God’s name was that the right thing to do? She’s your fucking soulmate, you idiot!”

“Okay, you and Derrick need to stop with that bullshit. We’re not soulmates. We’re not even compatible. She wants more kids, I don’t. No good would come from us sleeping together again.”

My brother snorted. “I’m not sure you’re doing things right if you think no good comes from sleeping with someone.”

“Eat a dick. I don’t want to lead her on and hurt her.”

“Did she say she wanted to have a baby withyou, specifically?”

“Well, no.”

“It’s pretty arrogant of you to assume she wanted anything more than a good time from you, especially since you’ve beenupfront with your feelings. Maybe you’re worried aboutyougetting hurt.”

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