Everyone but Rock hid a smile.
“Someone has to live it.” Brandon spread his hands and grinned. “So, what can you all do for me? Thank you for so generously offering, Chase. I appreciate each of you being willing to do a favor for me the next two weeks.” He drew out the suspense, and Chase shifted in his chair. He’d asked in genuine concern; only Brandon would twist the question into something they were already committed to.
“You can each take a two-week European vacation with the perfect woman for you, a woman so ideal you never thought to dream about her in most cases,” Brandon said. “And if you make her fall in love with you …”
Chase groaned inside, and Nelson groaned out loud across the table.
“I’ll throw in a million dollars. You’ll all get more money when I die, but this is just one of those friendship dues, pre-will-reading, strings-attached type of gifts.”
Robbie muttered an oath.
Chase wasn’t certain if this scheme of Brandon’s sounded like a dream come true or a nightmare. He did fine financially with his military retirement and income as a police officer, but a million dollars would give him investment opportunities for when he truly retired.
It most likely didn’t matter as he’d never really dated a woman seriously or had a woman fall in love with him. Even if this was his ‘ideal woman’, he doubted love would happen, and there were two huge problems he could see. Two weeks wasn’t enough time to fall in love even if this was his perfect match, and …
“Who chooses our dream woman and what are we supposed to do with her for two weeks?” Nelson demanded, echoing the question in Chase’s mind.
“Of course I get to choose, with Madelyne’s expert womanly advice.”
“No,” Robbie said in his deep, commanding voice as he sprung to his feet and shoved his chair back.
“I’m sure you can find plenty to entertain you in the European locations I’m sending you to with a beautiful woman for two weeks,” Brandon said, smug and gleeful, ignoring Robbie’s reaction completely. “Of course, Madelyne will have booked you on various day trips and spa and restaurant reservations. It’s going to blow your minds.” He rubbed his palms together as if he were the one going on a dream trip with his supposed dream woman.
How did Brandon and Madelyne think they knew which women would appeal to each of them and, more importantly, who each man would appeal to? Chase was confident in other aspects of life, but not around women. He’d heard he was decently handsome, and everybody said he was kind, but women didn’t flock to him. He hated the thought of disappointing some woman with his lack of relationship experience and charm.He certainly wasn’t looking forward to being alone with some woman he didn’t know for two uncomfortable weeks. Even to make Brandon’s last wish happen, experience unique European adventures, and maybe be gifted a million dollars.
This was a disaster in the making.
Robbie towered over everyone sitting at the table, glowering as only Robbie could do. He was six-five, two-fifty, and his long dark hair and full beard made him look even bigger. He shook his head, and his hair whipped around his face. “No way. You’ll try to set me up with Alice, and it isnothappening.”
Alice Chambers was Robbie’s high school girlfriend. Chase hadn’t heard his friend so much as mutter her name in years. Lots of years. Interesting he’d jump right to that conclusion. Did Brandon know something Chase didn’t?
Alice was an angelic beauty who any of them would’ve given their left kidney up to date. She’d only ever loved Robbie. Even Chase had no idea what had come between them. He suspected it was Robbie choosing the military, but Robbie had never confirmed that.
“Robbie, Robbie, Robbie.” Brandon shook his head. “You don’t know who I’m setting you up with. Madelyne is helping me find the perfect women for each of you. Maybe I’m planning to set Emmett up with Alice.”
“Try it and see which of you loses their index finger first,” Robbie growled, looking threateningly from Brandon to Emmett.
“Hey now.” Emmett held his large, perfect hands up. “It washisidea. I never looked twice at Alice.” He pulled a face. “Okay, that’s a lie. Maybe two or three times, but never four, out of respect for you.” He smiled easily. “You know none of us ever made a play for her, and my coach insists I need all of my fingers to catch balls.”
Robbie gave Emmett a partial smile. “I’m not threatening you. I’m threatening him.” He pointed at Brandon.
“Please, Robbie. Sit down, my friend. You know I only have your best interests at heart.”
“Right,” Robbie drawled. He spread his stance and folded his thick arms across his chest. Chase wasn’t threatened by anyone with his experience and skill set, but if he didn’t know Robbie’s good heart, he could see how his friend could intimidate most people.
Brandon leaned back in his chair, smiling up at Robbie. He didn’t appear offended, threatened, or put off by his bad attitude. “So no one is allowed to be set up with Alice, including you? Would you like that logged into the preferences?”
Robbie rolled his eyes and didn’t sit back down.
“What’s the catch?” Nelson asked. “Why are you setting us up?”
“Look at all of you.” Brandon gestured around the table. “A bunch of handsome, successful dudes with no incredible woman by your side, no baby on the way. I want you all happily in love before I pass away. I have to know that Squadron 7 will live on.”
Robbie shook his head.
“No pressure,” Parker joked.
Brandon winked at Parker. “I only have your best interests at heart.”
