Carter’s head whips toward me so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t give himself whiplash.
“The hell you will,” he snaps.
I spin toward him, raising a brow like I’m daring him to say one more word.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say, sweet as sugar. “Are you my father?”
His jaw flexes. “It’s not a job for you, princess.”
I cross my arms over my chest and tilt my chin higher, refusing to back down. “Why?” I mock. “Afraid I’ll break a nail?”
He glares.
I glare harder.
Beside us, Maverick and Reed watch the wholeexchange like they’ve just bought front row seats to the best damn show in town.
Maverick barks out a laugh and slaps Carter on the shoulder with enough force to make him stumble half a step. “She’s got a point, dude,” he howls, grinning so wide it’s a miracle his face doesn’t split in two.
Carter shoots him a murderous glare that could peel paint off the walls, but Maverick just winks at me, utterly unbothered.
Before Carter can throw another tantrum, I turn back to Reed, flashing my sweetest smile. “When do I start?”
Reed’s mouth twitches into the faintest hint of a smile. “Next week.”
“Perfect!” I chirp, ignoring the furious muttering behind me.
Maverick leans in conspiratorially, nudging my side like we’re already best friends.
“Just a heads up, sugar,” he drawls low enough that only I hear. “Wear something short when you work next week, really short. Tips skyrocket when you’re hot enough to make grown men cry.”
I blink at him, stunned for half a second.
A sharp laugh escapes my lips. Of course, he would say something like that.
Carter’s already moving, stepping in between us like a wall of pissed-off muscle, his fists clenched at his sides.
Fuck, his hands are so hot.
“Say one more fucking thing, Maverick,” Carter growls, “and I’ll bury you in the goddamn pasture.”
Someone’s jealous.
Maverick flashes a wicked grin, completely unbothered by the murder vibes radiating off his brother.
“What?” he shrugs, raising his hands in mockinnocence. “Just giving the pretty lady some business tips. Thought you’d appreciate me helping her get a head start.”
Carter turns to me, fixing me with a stare so heated it steals the breath right out of my lungs.
“You arenotwearing anything short,” he grits out.
I lift my chin, matching his glare with one of my own. “That’s fucking adorable,” I say sweetly, “but you don’t get to decide what I wear.”
Maverick lets out a howl of laughter behind him, clapping Reed on the back.
Reed, for his part, smirks quietly.
Standing here, surrounded by all their energy, I realize something fucking terrifying.
