Page 50 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

Saint hums agreement. “Like it’s afraid if it stops moving, something’ll catch up.”

Bear chews slowly. “Or maybe it just likes bein’ together.”

Luke squints at him. “You say that like you didn’t steal that plate.”

Bear looks down, completely unbothered. “I didn’t steal it. It was unattended.”

“That was my plate.”

“Then you should’ve attended it.”

Saint snorts again.

I’m halfway through another drink when I see her.

She’s near the edge of the crowd. Not swallowed by it, not hovering outside it either. As if she found the exact point where she can exist without being pulled under. Millie’s with her, animated as ever, hands flying as she talks.

June’s laughing.

And it steals the air right out of my lungs.

Not because she’s beautiful, though she is, in a way that feels unfair, dark hair catching firelight, green eyes bright and unguarded. That sweet, crooked little smile I noticed at the garage, now fully unrestrained.

But because she looks happy.

I forget to drink. Forget to breathe right. Forget, briefly, that I’ve spent most of my life not letting things get under my skin.

Luke notices immediately. He always does.

His mouth quirks. “Ah.”

I don’t look at him.

Saint does, following Luke’s gaze. “Who’s that?”

“June,” I say before I can stop myself. “Wayne’s new nanny.”

Saint’s expression sharpens. “She’s… something.”

Bear tilts his head, studying her the way he studies engines and people. “She suits this town.”

Luke lets out a low whistle. “Well, hell. That explains Wayne’s current mood.”

That finally drags my attention back.

I glance at him. “Explains how?”

Luke just grins, knowing and infuriating. “Never mind.”

I watch June laugh again, shoulders loose, head tipping toward Millie. Firelight flickers across her face, warming the freckles across her nose and making her shine.

And she does… shine.

I cut the thought off.

But somewhere deep inside, I know that this night isn’t the same as other nights.

Other nights I’ve got something to do with my hands, easy ways to stay half a step removed. Here, there’s nowhere to hide behind work, or a welding mask, or a set of tools lined up in perfect order.