Page 127 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“Um…” I rock back on my heels as my gaze shoots from Jos to Milo and back again.

What the heck is going on?

“I’ll be right back,” Milo promises. He swaggers toward the back room like he doesn’t have a care in the world. But I know him. And being called to the proverbial principal’s office isn’t exactly a promising way to start your afternoon shift.

Fiddling with my thumbs, I squat down and steal a few kisses from my little Peanut when the breakroom’s door swings open a couple of minutes later.

“That was quick,” I note as Milo strides back to me. With his hand on my waist, he pulls me into a hug, the anxiety from his conversation with Jos seeping from his body as he sags against me.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“He’s an ass and wanted to freak me out.”

“So thereisn’ta problem?”

He shakes his head. “No. He wants to take us out to dinner tonight.”

“Tonight? Why?”

“To celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” I ask, more confused than ever.

“Apparently, his friend called to tell him I did good with the piece I’d submitted. Jos is an anxious bastard and wanted to see it with his own eyes, so he went over to the gallery instead of waiting for opening night, and…yeah. Instead of congratulating me like a normal person, he decided acting like he was pissed was more amusing.”

I peek around Milo’s massive frame and find Jos grinning back at me. “Not funny!” I call out.

He laughs and folds his arms, clearly proud of himself for scaring the crap out of us.

Ignoring him, I look back at Milo. “So…dinner?”

“Yeah. Tonight.”

“What about your shift?”

“He already asked someone to cover for me. I have a couple of appointments I need to take care of, but I’ll meet you at home. We’ll drive together.”

“Was there a request I missed somewhere in there? Or…?”

“Nope.” He pecks my lips. “Be ready at eight.”

“What about Penny?”

“I’ll text Jake and see if he can watch her. We need a night out.”

“You want Jake to watch her?”

He shrugs. “It’ll help keep his head out of his ass for the night.”

“Touché. Have you talked to him at all? About his sister or life in general?” I ask. He’s been mopey or absent since he showed up here during my shift the other day.

Milo shakes his head. “Not much. Bree texted to let me know her and her husband, Derrick, are coming to the gallery, but Jake isn’t an idiot. He knows she wants to check on him.”

“How sweet of her,” I offer.

“Yeah, but it doesn’t make it easy for Jake to let me off the hook.”

“You think he’ll be willing to watch Penny if he’s still pissed at you?”

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