Page 49 of Just Breathe

“My magic?” I chuckled.

“Yeah, whatever voodoo magic you did on Mrs. Montgomery, we need it again.” Nathan chuckled too.

“Who’s the client?” I asked, curious.

“It’s the Walkers. We were supposed to start on their remodel next month, but the wife is having doubts now. It would be an extensive project for us and it would be indoors, so it’s a perfect fall to winter job.” Aiden leaned back into his chair, giving me a view of that wide chest and his snug shirt.

“I don’t know what you think I could do, but I could try.” I got nervous that he placed so much faith in me, but it was nice to feel like they could trust me.

He looked instantly relieved. “Thank you, I feel like I’m just not the best with people and if you can get Mrs. Montgomery to agree to something, I think you will be just fine with the Walkers, or at least Mrs. Walker.”

“Great, but if I fuck up, don’t be mad at me.” I laughed.

“I doubt it. I think people feel less threatened at getting taken advantage if they deal with a woman sometimes,” Nathan added. “Especially if they look like Aiden.”

I laughed because he was right. Aiden was a little intimidating, but I think it’s his size and the way he carries himself. “Oh well, I have a favor, too.”

“If it’s changing something we’ve done, I’m saying no now.” Aiden tried to look stern but failed when his lips twitched.

“Uh no… It’s actually a huge favor.” I was getting nervous, and I was about to chicken out when I remembered the conversation with my brother yesterday and how big of a dick he was. “I need a date this coming weekend for my brother’s wedding, and I was wondering if one of you guys would be my date?”

“Your favor is a date to your brother’s wedding?” Nathan asked, confused.

“Ooooh, where is this wedding at?” Kelsey and Callum came back with beers and some churros.

She handed me one. “These are amazing, so I got you one.” Callum set a beer down in front of me.

“Wow guys, thanks so much.” I took a bite of the churro, and it was amazing, still slightly warm too.

“So, where is this wedding at?” Kelsey asked again.

“I’m originally from Dallas.” I took a sip of my beer, and it was even better than the first one I got.

“I can’t go,” Aiden said first. “If things go well this week with the Walkers, it’s going to need lots of planning and I’d hate to leave during a few jobs open.”

“No worries. I was just asking because, as you know, he’s requesting for me to bring a date and, honestly, everyone he has suggested are dildos and pretentious assholes.” I would much rather go with one of the guys, and I know Paul would disapprove.

“Your brother is requesting you to bring a date?” Kelsey looked at me, confused.

“He wants to minimize gossip about me losing my husband and child,” I replied, taking a bite out of my churros as anger bubbled up in me.

“What a douche,” Kelsey said with her mouth full.

Callum glared at her, and I laughed. “He is a big douche, and I just don’t want to hear it when I get there. He’s a big drama queen, and if I can have someone there that I like, well, I think it would make the whole wedding so much better.”

Kelsey raised her eyebrows, smirking at me. Shit, did I just say liked them? I looked at Nathan and Callum expectantly, like I didn’t just admit that I liked them. Nathan looked like he wanted to throw up, and Callum looked like he was trying not to scowl.

“Uh… I actually have a teaching thing I have to do this weekend so I can’t go.” Nathan looked withdrawn and I wonder if it was anything I said. Aiden and Callum looked at him, confused, but neither of them said anything.

“Callum should go. Isn’t there that cool tattoo artist you wanted to get a tattoo from that was in Dallas?” Kelsey said, crumbling up the paper from the churro.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t have availability and I don’t dress up.” He looked at her like he wanted her to shut up, but Kelsey didn’t notice.

“Callum has a bucket list of different tattoo artists he wants to get tattooed from and this guy JD is apparently amazing. He follows him on Instagram and practically fan girls over him.”

Jackpot. “So, if I could get you an appointment with this JD, would you come?” I asked innocently. Callum was glaring at Kelsey like she just told us his deepest, darkest secret.

“JD is booked for months because he is so good.” Callum looked up at me like I had no way of making this work.

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