Page 39

What do you do with the money?

“I give it back to the community. A random bookstore, a library, a funeral home. I gave a homeless person five-hundred bucks before.” He shook his head, chuckling at a memory. “He offered to buy me a steak as a thank you but I ended up treating him to a few drinks instead after getting him cleaned up. One of my favorite moments.”

My heart swelled.That’s pretty amazing.

“I don’t do it for the recognition, but I do love helping when I can. What are you doing here?” he asked, nodding to the computer screen.

Besides teaching ASL, I’m also the receptionist. I guess seeing my face first, helps ease people’s anxiety.I shrugged.

“Trust me, pet. Seeing you first thing would definitely be the highlight of my day too.”

I stared at him. Even though you could clearly tell he had been in a fight, he was still gorgeous. He looked like he walked right off a GQ magazine. I bet he looked delicious in a suit.

He tilted his head. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I’m imagining you in a suit.

His lips pulled into a grin. “Really? Well, I guess you’ll have to wait until our date, so you can see me in a suit then.”

My cheeks burned, my eyes widening at the thought.

He chuckled, rising a touch and leaning toward my ear. “Tell me what else you’re imagining me in or...” His lips brushed along the shell of my ear. “Not in.”

I shivered at the soft touch.

His laugh deepened, rumbling through every inch of me. “So, Ainsley, you ready for our date?”

You’ll really wear a suit?I asked him, wondering why he would agree to such a thing.

“Babe, I’ll wear a fucking garbage bag if it puts a smile on your face.”

I laughed, standing from the chair as Sammy and Cheesy entered the building. My laughter quickly died at the scowl on Sammy’s face. It amazed me how they were twins and yet, were nothing alike.

“What’s so funny?” he demanded, looking between Cyrus and me.

Cyrus rose to his full height, stepping up behind me. “What’s your deal?”

“I don’t have a deal.” Sammy stared at us.

As much as I didn’t want to, I was the one to look away first. I went to walk around Cyrus when he caught my arm.

The touch was gentle, but it forced me to look up into his dark eyes.

“I wasn’t kidding about that date, pet,” he said. “Tell me when you want me to pick you up and I’ll be there. In a suit.”

I could feel Sammy staring daggers into the back of my head, so I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled my phone from my pocket and typed up a response.

Yes, I’m ready for our date. I’m done work at 6pm tomorrow evening.

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

I nodded, stood on tiptoes, and placed a soft peck on his cheek. The scruff from his light beard tickled my lips. Before his brother could say or do anything else, I left the room.

***