Page 41 of Briar

“Good.” He winks. “I made dinner. Hope you’re hungry.”

“You cook?” I don’t know why that surprises me. Maybe because he’s so damn tall. He looks more like a Viking than a chef.

“I have many hidden talents.” He bows, holding his arm out toward the dining room with a flourish. “After you.”

He keeps up the discussion over a delicious dinner, Jenson and Kai occasionally chipping in. But all of them watch me. It’s a heady feeling, and I take another sip of wine before reaching for my water. “You all live here, together?”

It’s an unusual setup. River shrugs. “It works for us.”

It does. This house… it suits them. The décor isn’t overly done, simple but warm. Chunky, useful furniture, beautiful artwork on the walls. “How do you all know each other?”

Jenson glances at Kai. He’s stilled beside me, and I look between them. “You don’t have to answer.”

“My father and River’s father were best friends,” Jenson says quietly. “We grew up together. Kai came along a little later.”

It almost sounds like—

“Are you brothers?” They look so different, but the way that he says it makes them sound like family. “And I’ve just realised that I don’t know how old you are.”

Jenson’s mouth twitches. “No. And I’m thirty-three. River is a few months behind me.”

“Age before beauty. I’m thirty-two.” River winks at me, pulling a smile from my lips. “Kai’s the baby of our little trio. He’s the same age as you.”

My lips part. Kai tilts his head to glance at me with a small smile. “Oh.”

Twenty-six. We’re the same age.

He seems so much older than me.

That’s what happens when you’re kept in a bubble, Briar.

But not tonight. We finish dinner before Jenson broaches the reason I’m here. “How are you feeling about tonight?”

My fingers nearly fumble the stem of my wine glass as I meet his eyes. They’re assessing, but not cold. The steel is darker tonight.

Swallowing, I take a breath to give them a proper answer. “A little nervous. But I haven’t changed my mind.”

“You still can,” River says quietly. “At any time, up until we approach your door.”

“I know.” We’ve been over it several times. The medication issued by Emily will be waiting on my bedside table.

I can take it and go to sleep. My door left unlocked. Permission, and a silent invitation.

And if I change my mind, all I need to do is flick the lock. A silent signal that I’d prefer to sleep alone. I wouldn’t even have to see them.

I look around at all three of them. My hands, clammy with nerves, shake as I take a sip. “I’m nervous, but I’m not scared. I trust you.”

None of them would stop me if I wanted to walk out. Kai would drive me back to my house, drop me off, and that would be the end. There would be no more teasing calls with River. No more heated text exchanges with Jenson.

No more kisses with Kai.

It’s the last thing I want.

So I steel myself, looking at Jenson before lifting my chin. “I’m ready to see my room, I think.”

The atmosphere changes. Slowly, he pushes his chair back.

I do the same. The air suddenly feels too heavy, my chest tight.