Page 92 of Daily Grind
“Bri—” Even he heard the exasperation in his voice. Oh God, theysoundedlike a couple. The knowing look that passed between Brian’s parents. A moment later Rob huffed a laugh. “Your son has been trying to convince me I have talent.”
“Tons of it.”
“And I’ve been resisting him.”
Tony snorted. “Good luck. He’s like his mother.”
Brian poked Rob in the side. “I get to have a professional opinion.” He went in for a full tickle.
Rob caught his hand before he could truly embarrass them. “Yes, yes. BFA. I remember.”
Another amused look from Brian’s parents. Thankfully, the front door banged open, and a woman’s voice cried out, in practically the same manner Brian had, “I’m here!”
“That’s Zoe,” Brian said, then shouted, “We’re in the kitchen!”
“Well of course you’re in the—” A woman with short black hair and a few piercings on her ear walked through the door and stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh,wow. You must be the boyfriend.”
“That would be me, yes.” He couldn’t help the smile. “You must be the sister.”
She had Brian’s blush, but recovered quickly. “Last time I checked, yeah.” Her smile was like everyone’s in this family—warm and inviting.
He would have introduced himself, but the front door sounded again. Once more, a call came, and this time both Brian and Zoe answered.
Rob turned to Brian’s parents. “Does this happeneverytime?”
“Pretty much, yes.” Alice said. She dusted her fingers on her apron, then untied it.
“I hear a voice I don’t know.” That from the man who walked into the kitchen.
Holy hell, the genes in this family. Brian’s brother was taller, but had the same all-American looks. Darker hair and he wore the uniform of a commercial airline pilot. He lacked Brian’s warm brown eyes and amazing arms, though.
His gaze was stern. “So,you’rethe guy dating my little brother?” He crossed his arms and stared hard at Rob.
Fuck. Brian had said everyone was onboard with this. He resisted the urge to step back, and glanced at Brian.
Brian lifted a brow and snorted. “He’s fucking with you. This is Len, my overprotectiveelderbrother.” He entwined his warm fingers with Rob’s. “And yes, this is my boyfriend, Rob.”
Len cracked a smile that tore away the mask and held out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
His shake, like Tony’s was firm and friendly. “Likewise.” He managed the word, but his heart was beating a bit fast.
As if Brian knew, he bumped his hip and gave his hand a squeeze. “You just get in, Len?”
Len’s shoulders dropped. “Yeah. Should have been back around eleven, but there was a large weather system in the plains causing all sorts of delays and reroutings. I’m just glad I’m home in time for dinner.”
Maybe it was the fleeting feeling that Len didn’t like him, but he wanted to make some sort of connection. “Sympathies,” he said. “I used to fly a lot.” Too much. Thank goodness there was less of that now.
“Chicago, right? Not a bad hop, but the timing’s always a crapshoot.”
Rob nodded.
Tony cleared his throat. “Len, would you mind fetching some wine from the cellar?”
A large smile. “Never in a million years. Red or white?”
Tony gestured to Rob. “Guest’s pick.”
“Red would be the most appropriate, yes?”
