Page 76 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

“Uh, hi,” my brother finally stammers out as a few of his brain cells make their way back to functioning order.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

He shakes his head, looking at me like he’s trying to forget the woman in the green dress is no longer standing beside me. “I wanted to see if Mom needed anything, since we’ll both be at the gala tonight.”

“You two worry too much,” Mom groans from her spot on the couch, where she’s undoubtedly been watching this whole interaction like a tennis match. “I’m going to watch a movie and make a grilled cheese. Get out of here.” She looks at Sienna and me. “You two cleaned up nice.”

“Thank you,” we both mutter.

“Don’t they look nice?” my mom says, glowering at Grayson.

He glares at Mom but finally relents. His eyes dance between the two of us, but when he says the words, his attention is focused on Sienna. “You both look beautiful.”

Interesting…

There’s a soft knock before Brooks’ smiling face pokes in from around the screen door. He opens his mouth to say something, but then he just freezes. His eyes track up and down my body.

“What the hell are you doing?” Austin’s voice grumbles from behind him. Brooks stumbles forward when the door is swung all the way open.

Austin glares at Brooks, but as soon as he glances at me, he freezes, too. Conrad steps in beside them. He seems to be the only functioning one out of the three of them. A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth.

He steps toward me, pulling me into his arms.

“You look stunning, sweetheart.” He leans in, whispering in my ear. “I told you you’d make those two go stupid wearing that dress.”

I giggle, glancing over my shoulder at them.

Brooks snaps out of it first, stepping closer and swinging me up into his arms. “You look amazing, Hadley. Damn.”

“Thanks,” I say, laughing, as he sets me down.

“Shit. Did I mess up your dress?”

“No, I’m good.”

A whirl of emotions blazes through Austin’s eyes as he stares at me. I step over to him. “Hey, you,” I say, grabbing one of his hands in mine.

He traces his free hand down the side of my face. “Angel,” he says breathlessly. “I have no words.”

He leans down and kisses me, saying everything that he can’t find the words for at the moment.

“Oh my god, you all are too freaking cute,” Sienna says.

Shit. I forgot anyone else was in the room besides the four of us.

“As much fun as it is seeing all three of you fawn over my little sister and swap spit with her, I think it’s time for me to go,” Grayson grumbles.

“We should go, too,” Conrad says, looking at his watch.

“Okay. Sienna, why don’t you ride with us?” I suggest.

“It’s fine. I’ll just drive myself.”

“What if you want to have a few drinks tonight?”

She pauses, contemplating her options.

“I can give you a ride,” Grayson says from where he’s standing already half out the front door. “I can’t drink anyway because I’m on shift in the morning.”