Page 52 of My Brother's Billionaire Best Friends

I smile at my mom. “Thank you. Seriously.”

She waves it off but doesn’t hide the pleased expression. “They were good. Didn’t set anything on fire, though Levi tried to toast marshmallows over a candle.”

“Resourceful,” I say.

“He’s your child.”

I bend down, kiss the top of Levi’s head, and feel something tight inside me go free. The past three days weren’t long in the grand scheme of things, but it was the longest I’ve been away from them since they were born. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed them until I saw their faces.

“You want tea?” my mom calls, already turning back toward the kitchen.

“Sure.”

While she boils water, the kids drag me into the living room to show me the latest version of their blanket fort, now upgraded with LED fairy lights, three stuffed animals in charge of “security,” and what appears to be a snack station tucked into a corner.

“It’s gonna fall down,” Levi confesses, “but it looks good.”

“I see that. A-plus branding.”

By the time we circle back to the kitchen, my mom has tea poured and waiting, chamomile for me and some kid-safe cinnamon thing for them. The smell is warm and sweet and makes my eyes sting a little.

“You look tired,” she says, placing a hand on my shoulder as I sit.

“I didn’t sleep much.”

She gives me a knowing look. “Must’ve been quite thestrategy retreat.”

I keep my expression neutral. “It was productive. We’ve got a solid plan for the gala.”

“Mm-hmm.”

The kids settle on the rug nearby, arguing softly over who gets to be the leader of the security bears. I sip my tea and avoid my mother’s gaze, even though I can feel it like a spotlight.

“How’s Jack?” she asks, too casually.

I don’t look up. “Sharp. Focused.”

“And Gavin?”

“Still allergic to mornings.”

“Mm. And Harrison?”

“Built like a tree and still thinks coffee is a personality.”

Her mouth twitches. “So nothing happened.”

I meet her eyes. “I didn’t say that.”

Her brow lifts. “You didn’t have to.”

I sigh and set down my mug. “It’s complicated.”

She leans against the counter. “That’s not a no.”

“Mom—”

“You’re sleeping with them.”