Sean growls and pulls me toward the ground. But I’m still bigger than him. I twist out of his grip and spin until I have him in a headlock.
“You suck.”
Mark walks in and looks at the two of us. “Come on guys, let's get to work.”
I release Sean.
He straightens, but continues to glare at me. Sean might be the first to tell the joke, but he’s the worst at taking one.
“Sean, I want to take you out to lunch today.” Mark says while looking over the daily to-do list.
Sean combs his fingers through his hair, to get it to calm down. “Cool. Where?”
“How about Alfredos? I love their noodles.” Boss says it with such seriousness it takes Sean a moment to get it.
“Oh, come on. It was one snake.” Sean grunts.
“Yet, you still ran away from it.” Lennox says as she walks in.
That right there is the reason for my smile today. I could care less about the snake, but having Lennox hide behind me and bury her face in my back, still has my heart racing.
“I hate you all.” Sean grumbles and grabs his bag. He’s almost out the door when Michael walks in.
“There’s my favorite—”
“Shut up.” Sean interrupts him and runs into the shop before any of us can say more.
“Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the den,” Michael says, and we all laugh.
This is why I can’t lose them. I never had brothers or sisters to joke around with. Everything at my house was so dismal and daunting. Life with the Bentleys is lighthearted and genuine.
“How's the thumb?” Mark turns to me and I notice Lennox standing close enough to hear.
“It’s fine. Mostly healed,” I respond.
“Just don’t overdo it alright? Let the other guys do the hard parts,” Mark says and heads to the front of the shop. Michael has already gone out into the shop and it’s just me and Lennox left in the staff room.
“So…” She shuffles her feet. “Are you bringing a date to the party?”
She has never asked me questions about my dating life before. I always thought it was because she wasn’t interested .
“I haven’t decided yet,” I say. I wasn’t planning on bringing a date, but I also wasn’t planning for her to have a boyfriend, either. So it might be an idea worth considering.
Who am I kidding? I don't want to date anyone but her.
“Are you telling me you don’t have a little black book with names for days?” she asks.
Is that a hint of jealousy in her voice?
No. It can’t be.
She bites her bottom lip. Every time she does that, I just want to taste it myself.
I smile and fold my arms. “Are you interested in reading it?”
“No!” Her cheeks turn pink. My new favorite color. “Of course not.”
Then she practically sprints to her office.
