Page 128 of Stepbrother Dearest

“You know that surprised face people make when they get poked and weren’t expecting it? That’s how you looked.”

“I did?”

He nodded.

“I’m fine. Just a random thought.” I cleared my throat. “How’s work been?”

I didn’t know much about the job he had now, just that it was in construction and he worked long hours.

“Not bad.” He leaned back against the bench seat. “It’s a good crew, and I like working with my buddies. We have another week before the job is supposed to be finished, but it looks like we might need a few extra days, which my bank account appreciates.”

“Do you work at the club this weekend?”

“I work there every weekend.”

“That’s a lot of hours with no breaks.”

He shrugged. “Kinda have to take what I can in my position. I’ll have a chance to rest when I’m dead.”

“What kind of work are you looking for when this gig is over?”

“Anything I can find that will give me full-time hours. Apparently my buddies’ boss landed some big jobs and is looking to expand their crew for the fall. I’m hoping he’ll offer me an official contract, but I’d settle for a long-term gig.”

“What would you do if you didn’t have this connection?”

“Be homeless.” He shot me a flat look.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant what would you do if you could look for any job. Like what do youwantto do?”

“Whatever helps me not be homeless is pretty high on my list.”

I pinned him with a look. “You’re being obtuse on purpose.”

“Maybe.” He smiled, his eyes glittering playfully. “But I don’t really have an answer. I work wherever I can. I don’t have a dream job because the only things I’m qualified for or good at aren’t typically things people do because it’s their dream. Construction, landscaping, stocking shelves, warehouses, stripping…those are the kinds of jobs I get. Not exactly the things you learn about on career day. Have you always wanted to be a nurse?”

“Pretty much.” My gaze fell to his hands as Graham unrolled his napkin. Heat prickled my neck at the memories of how those strong hands felt on my skin. “I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, and the more research I did, the more I knew nursing was my calling.”

“I envy people who have that.” Distractedly, he rolled his napkin back up. “I have no idea what my calling is, or if I even have one. I’m good at a lot of stuff, but I’m not great at anything.” He set the napkin aside.

“You’re great at dancing.” I tore my eyes from his hands as he shifted his attention to me.

“You think so?”

“Like that’s news. You saw the boner you gave me at the club.”

He smirked cheekily. “I enjoy it, but I don’t have any formal training in it or anything. And stripping isn’t like traditional dance, so my skills aren’t really transferable.”

Movement caught my eye. We fell silent as our server approached with our food. When she put the plates down, she looked between us curiously before hurrying away.

“Is it just me, or was that a weird look?” Graham asked.

“She was trying to figure out which one of us is the top.”

He pursed his lips, like he was fighting a smile. “We should get one bill just to mess with her. Make her decide who she’s going to give it to.”

I laughed. “That moment of panic while they look between you and try to figure out who’s the dude is the best. I live for it.”

“Me too. I don’t eat out often, but a few months ago I went to dinner with my buddies, the ones I’m working on the crew with. They’re twins, and our server’s shift ended before we finished. The new server came by to introduce themselves when one of them was in the bathroom. I guess it didn’t click that there were three of us at the table, because when they came to give us the bill they had this moment of pure panic where they stood there staring at us like they were trying to decide if they should have brought separate bills or if we were on the weirdest date ever.”

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