Page 7

Cole stares at me.
We both experienced parental neglect and had to stress about living situations. He saved me when I needed it most, and this is a way for both of us to give back.
Cole’s face goes all mushy as he comes around the desk and pulls me into a bear hug. “That’s a great idea.”
“Who are you and what have you done with Cole?” I had a speech prepared to sway him. I’ll never understand why he doesn’t want to make money off his art, but that doesn’t matter.
“Asshole,” he chides with zero heat as his lips quirk, unable to manage a smile. “I never would have thought of that, but this is an easy way to help. I certainly don’t need to keep all those reminders of the past,” Cole concedes.
“I knew even your black heart couldn’t turn down the opportunity to help those kids. And if you did, Shane was my backup plan.”
“Backup plan for what?” Shane appears in the doorway as if conjured. He only has eyes for Cole. It might make me sick to see them so happy in love, but their love is so perfect. It makes me…uncomfortable isn’t the right word, but something I can’t name.
“For my life plan.” I can’t resist the urge to annoy Cole by flirting with Shane.
If I hadn’t deliberately put the moves on Shane in front of him, Cole might not have realized his feelings for Shane. I’m a full-service friend that way.
Shane doesn’t miss a beat after kissing Cole. “Sorry, you’re not my type.”
“I’m everybody’s type.” I plaster on a seductive smile. “So if you take me out of the picture, what is your type?”
“Cole.” He leans in for another kiss.
“He’s not a type…you know what, never mind.” I turn away from the tongue-fucking, getting that unnamed feeling again.
“Alec has some big news.” Cole settles Shane in his lap and Shane’s big brown eyes blink at me with expectation.
“It’s not actually my news,” I say, and Cole lifts his chin for me to continue. “I have an idea to do a charity auction with Mads, and Cole agreed to donate some of his paintings.”
Shane’s excitement bursts out of him as we discuss the logistics and what we still need for the event. “You’re our resident philanthropist now.”
“We shouldn’t tell him how much we appreciate him,” Cole pretends to whisper in Shane’s ear.
And as payback for their lovefest, I say to Cole, “How about sharing and letting Shane hop in my bed to show your appreciation.” My eyes roam over Shane’s body.
Shane laughs so hard he chokes on a snort.
“Fuck you.” Cole can’t hold back his laugh. He knows I’d never lay a finger on Shane, but I pretend to remind him to stay present with Shane and not wallow in the past.
“But you love me.” I fling my arms wide and round the desk to hug them. “And my idea is fan-fucking-tastic.” All the unnamed emotion is making me itchy, so I smell Shane’s hair and groan.
“He’s going to snap and punch you one day.” Shane sighs.
“Hopefully he waits until after I make him a world-renowned painter.” I let them go, wondering why I’m restless.
I stopped trusting my emotions long ago.
“Mads wants to meet to go over a game plan. We decided on Pink Titanium. Jayce is going to meet us there for drinks afterward. You both free around eight?”
Shane bounces in Cole’s lap with anticipation, and I’m sure if I weren’t in the room, this would get X-rated fast.
Despite the crowded bar, meeting will be easy since the booths are mostly empty. Watching everyone settle in, I realize Shane and Von won’t be able to concentrate in their current states. As Mads introduces Von to Cole, Shane, and Joanne, the Director of The Q, I hit up my favorite server. We catch up as he puts in a drink and food order for me. It only takes the bartender a couple of minutes. The server hands me a tray, and then he leads me to the storeroom to get the supplies I asked for.
As I approach the table, Von mutters, “Let’s start without him. He’s probably flirting and leaving the work to us. Typical.” His back is to me, so I can’t see his face, but his body goes rigid when Shane gasps in surprise, and Cole looks as if he’s a half second away from punching Von.
His judgment isn’t welcome in my life. Flirting doesn’t mean I deserve to be disrespected. As a motivated multitasker, I can flirtandwork. I’m tempted to ditch the tray, but I focus on Joanne enjoying Pink Titanium. So I force my facial muscles into a smile and keep moving.
“Here you go.” I hand Joanne the bar’s signature pink mocktail. “It’s their best non-alcoholic cocktail,” I clarify so Von can’t complain about my work ethic. “I’m giving you the full experience since you’ve always wanted to come here.” She smiles and I acknowledge a stone-faced Von.