Page 17 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

Chapter 5

Reid

Icrack open the fridge, grab a bottle of sparkling water Jude won’t shut up about, and take a long drink. It’s bubbly with a hint of cucumber. Definitely not my thing but at least it’s cold. And better than that nasty ginger beer he convinced me to drink last week.

I need to hit the store first thing tomorrow. There’s nothing good to eat or drink in this house except a six-pack of beer that I’m saving to bring next door for the BBQ. I have zero interest in Miles's nasty tea. And I'm not really into all Jude’s hippie shit either.

I am, however, into Gigi.

That girl’s been on my mind since she wandered up our driveway earlier. I know what Jude said about her, and he wasn't exactly wrong. She was all sugar on the surface but that’s exactly what it was: surface level. Unlike Jude, I don’t really care what she’s like on the inside. Girl is hot as hell and she flirts like it’s a competitive sport. I can totally respect that.

It’s been a long-ass year, and I need to have some fun. I’ve come a long way from rock bottom, but I still wouldn’t put this year in the win category.

My therapist likes to say “some years test you.” This one certainly felt like a test. It didn’t completely break me, but it left me with a hollowed out feeling.

So, if my new (very hot) neighbor wants to host a backyard mixer featuring pretty women and grilled meat, I’m absolutely not saying no.

At seven, I toss a hoodie over my shoulder, grab the six-pack from the fridge, and call toward the living room. “Heading over. You guys coming?”

No answer.

Jude’s probably meditating and Miles is most likely finishing up with work for the day. The dude is a fucking machine when it comes to work.

Fine by me. They’ll either come or they won’t. Either way I’m hopefulI’llbe coming by the end of the night.

“If you don’t hear from me in two hours, assume I’ve died happy,” I call out.

I step out the back door into the late day sun and walk the few feet next door. Their backyard is strung up with lights and I can see a fancy-ass pergola from here.

I catch a glimpse of something pink through the window—Gigi. She has her head tossed back and she’s laughing. I can see from here she’s had a wardrobe change. Though this outfit choice doesn’t look like it covers much more than the last. Girl’s a whole highlight reel.

I crack my neck, and head toward the door.

Gigi opens the door before I can knock. Her new pink outfit is definitely something to behold. Tons of ruffles and even a few bows. She looks like a cupcake with pink icing.

“There you are. Thought maybe you chickened out.”

“Not me. I’d never turn down a good burger.”

She gives a slow nod, dragging her fingers down the edge of the door. “Good to know. Well, I’m certainly glad you came.”

I hold up the six-pack. “Brought a few friends.”

She laughs at that. Her fingers graze my forearm as she steps back—but only just enough to let me squeeze by. “Then you’re officially invited in.”

I move forward but she stays exactly where she is. I have to angle my shoulder to pass through the door, and her body brushes against mine as I do. No apology. That was the point. She doesn’t step back once I enter either. Her free hand slides up the front of my chest, two fingers tracing the line of my shirt, then resting just under the collar.

“You clean up even better than I imagined,” she says.

“You imagined that?”

“I imagine a lot of things.”

She lets her fingers linger before stepping back. When she turns, she angles her hips just enough to brush against my zipper.

Yeah. This totally ends with me in her bed.

Gigi walks ahead of me, hips swaying with a little extra exaggeration. I let my eyes follow because she clearly wants me to look.