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GRIFFIN

“There he is!” Maddox slaps my back hard, his face lit up with a smile. My best friend has been in a much better mood since winning his girl back a few days ago. We’re out at a club, celebrating them.

“Hey, man.” I pull him into a hug and grin at Isla. She watches us with a soft, affectionate expression. I reach out a hand and motion for her to get in on the lovefest. “Get in here, Teach. We need a group hug.”

Isla chuckles, but jumps right in. Maddox and I smoosh her between us, and her chuckles turn into full-blown laughter. “You guys are suffocating me!”

“All right, all right.” Mira grabs my arm and tugs me back. “Don’t suffocate my friend. I just got her back.” My roomie sticks her tongue out at me. Little shit.

“First round’s on me,” Sebastian says to the cheers of our group. A smiling server follows behind him with a full tray of beers balanced on her palm. Her blue eyes find me and do a slow inspection of my body.

“Looks like someone’s checking you out.” Mira waggles her dark eyebrows.

She looks beautiful tonight. I may be her roommate, but I’m not dead.

Even if I can’t act on anything with her, I will always notice a beautiful woman.

Her dark hair is curled and sleek, smoky shadow and pink blush accentuating her green eyes. And the dress Mira’s wearing?

Fuck. Me. The skintight, slinky black number hugs every single one of her perfect curves. Objectively speaking. Her curves are objectively perfect. Anyone would agree.

My dick has been straining at my zipper since the moment she sauntered out of her room in that little getup. Which is inconvenient, because Madds will kick my ass if he notices I have a stiffy for his little sister.

“Huh?”

Mira giggles. “The waitress, Griffy. She’s checking you out. She’s pretty.”

“Is she?” I shrug. “Didn’t notice.” And I didn’t. Which is weird.

Logan slaps me on the back. “How the hell didn’t you notice? That woman is stunning.” His gray eyes make a sweep of her body as he smooths his dark-blond hair away from his face.

“You should talk to her, then.” It’s not like I called dibs or anything. Besides, you can’t dibs a human being.

“You sure?” Logan squints, his attention pinging between me and Mira.

Whatever he’s thinking, he needs to stop.

There’s nothing going on with the two of us.

Nothing at all. And nothing ever will happen.

Because she’s my roommate. And my best friend’s little sister.

And I don’t want to die or have my balls chopped off.

I’m kinda attached to them.

“Yeah, man. I just want to hang out with everyone. I’m not looking to hook up tonight.”

“Suit yourself.” Logan shrugs. And when the blonde server walks away, he follows her. I have no doubt he’ll take her home when her shift is over.

“Who wants to dance?” Mira grabs hold of Isla’s hand and drags her onto the floor.

The guys and I share a look before following them.

There’s no way Maddox is letting Isla out of his sight tonight.

Not after everything he went through to get her back.

And when some scrawny guy with a patchy beard starts making his way over to dance with the ladies, Madds levels him with an impressive glare.

We dance as a group—even Byrne, after he gets the server’s number—drinking and laughing together. I haven’t had this much fun in a while. Between my guys and Mira and Isla, I’m completely at ease. I don’t have to pretend or be on my game or do anything other than be myself.

Maybe there’s something to be said for going out and not trying to pick up women.

Because I don’t care if I’m dancing like an idiot, and neither do any of the people I’m with.

I’m not trying to woo anyone or charm them into my bed.

It’s freeing. And when women do approach our group and try to dance with me or Bash or Byrne, I choose to ignore them.

“I’m having so much fun,” Mira shouts in my ear as we all jump up and down to an energetic song with a driving beat.

The dark hair around her temples is slick with sweat, and her cheeks are flushed.

She glances at her brother and Isla, who have their arms wrapped around each other as they sway and grind to the beat.

“It’s so good to see them back together. ”

“It is,” I agree. I have to lean in close to be heard, and the scent of her jasmine perfume hits me square in the chest. Why does she have to smell so good? “They belong together.”

“Totally,” she shouts with a huge smile. Mira fans herself with her hands. “I need a drink. I’m so hot.”

“I can go with you.”

She pats my chest and grins. “You don’t have to do that. I’m a big girl, Griffy. I’ll be right back.”

And before I can protest, she slips through the crowd and heads for the bar. I watch her the whole way. Just to make sure no assholes try to grope her ass or anything. Because I look out for all of my female friends when we’re out. Especially at places like this.

“You good?” Sebastian asks. His head cocks to the side as he studies me.

“Yeah, man. I’m good.”

“How’s living with Mira going?”

Does he really want to have this conversation in the middle of a club? It’s a little loud for a heart-to-heart. “It’s good. She’s cool. Honestly, it’s been fun having a roommate again.”

Bash nods, but he doesn’t say anything. Just kinda stares at me.

“What?” I ask him.

“You sure you can handle this?” His attention goes to Mira. She’s at the bar now, and some suit with a five o’clock shadow has his hand on the small of her back as he leans in to say something. Mira throws her head back and laughs.

My stomach flips, and I scowl. “Handle what?” I ask Bash with a little more bite than I intend.

“Living with a beautiful woman you’ve always been attracted to.”

I tear my eyes away from Mira and the suit so I can glare at my friend. “I’m not attracted to Mira.”

Navarro’s lips twitch as he raises one dark eyebrow. “Oh, no?”

“No.”

“Then why do you look like you want to punch the guy talking to her?”

I do want to punch the guy. It’s unnerving.

And stupid. Mira’s my friend, and she is definitely not interested in me that way.

She’s always been fun and a bit flirty, but she’s done nothing to make me believe she sees me as anything other than her brother’s best friend.

I have no claim on her, and no right to judge who she flirts with or hooks up with.

God, the thought of her hooking up with the asshole in the suit makes my stomach turn. What the hell? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was jealous. Which I’m not. At all.

“Just looking out for my friend,” I tell Sebastian. “Her ex was a dipshit, and business bro over there looks like a dipshit too. I don’t want her getting hurt again, that’s all.”

“Is it?” Sebastian watches me. “Or are you afraid to admit to yourself that you like her?”

“I don’t.”

He lifts one shoulder. “Wouldn’t blame you if you did. She’s a cool chick. Not to mention, beautiful.”

“She’s Maddox’s sister,” I say, stating the obvious. He knows what I mean. She’s off-limits.

“I know. But if you really liked her and weren’t only trying to get in her pants, I don’t think Madds would be as pissed as you assume.”

Sebastian has always been the levelheaded one of our group.

He’s like a big brother, or maybe even the team dad.

Lots of guys go to him for advice, and normally, he’s spot on.

But not with this. Because Madds would be pissed.

And even if I did like her that way, I’m cursed.

All I’d do is ruin our friendship and pave the way for Mr. Right to sweep Mira off her feet when things between us fizzled out.

And for some reason, that thought fills me with all sorts of rage.

“I’m not trying to get in her pants, and I don’t like her beyond friendship.” I clap Bash on the shoulder. “You’re way off base on this one.”

The suit still has his hand on Mira’s lower back. She’s facing him now, and they’re smiling and flirting with each other. My grip on Sebastian’s shoulder tightens.

“Sure.” His shoulders shake as he chuckles. “Sorry for saying anything. I’m obviously wrong. You don’t feel anything for Mira. Nothing at all.”

“I don’t.” Dropping my hand from his shoulders, I try to sound casual when I say, “I’m thirsty. Want another beer?”

“Why not?” His eyes dance with mirth. The fucker’s laughter follows me all the way to the bar.

I push through the crowd, so I end up right next to Mira and the suit, and drape my arm around her shoulder. “Hey Lil’ Gravesy. Thought you got lost.” I motion to the bartender and call out my order.

Mira rolls her eyes and shrugs off my arm. “I told you, Griffy. I’m a big girl.”

That, she is. And I’m being an ass, I know I am. Doesn’t stop me from sticking out my hand and staring suit guy down, though. “Hey, man. I’m Griffin.”

Although the suit looks confused, he’s been socially conditioned to return a shake when offered, so he clasps my hand. He squeezes harder than he needs to, probably thinking I’ll do the same, but I don’t need a strength contest to know who has the bigger dick.

Obviously, it’s me.

Turning back to Mira, I grin brightly. “Everyone was worried you got lost or something. Come back and dance with us.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Right. I’m sure they were so worried.” But she must not be that into the suit, because she sighs and turns her attention his way. “It was nice to meet you, but I’m here with my friends, so I’m going to head back there.”

Suit guy’s brow furrows, even as he plasters on a smile. “No worries. Can I get your number?”

I’m about to drag her away before she can offer it, but Mira surprises me. “I don’t think so. You seem nice and all, but I just moved back to town and got out of a relationship. I’m not really looking to hook up with anyone right now.”

The guy’s smile slips. “Oh, uh, sure. Maybe if we run into each other again.”

That won’t happen.

“Right. Sure. Maybe then.” Mira lifts her beer in a little salute, then I grab her hand and lead her back across the dance floor toward our friends. She rolls her eyes but doesn’t protest. “You’re a clit block, you know that, right?”

“Me? No way. Just helping you find your way back to the group.” Luckily, she’s behind me enough that she doesn’t see my lips twitching.

“Sure. Whatever you say, Griffin. You’re just lucky I wasn’t really interested in that guy.”

I knew she wasn’t. “What was his name, anyway?”

She laughs at that. “You know what? I wasn’t even paying attention when he said it. I was calling him Mr. Fancy in my head because of his suit.”

I throw my head back and laugh as we dodge dancing couples and spilling drinks. “I was calling him The Suit in mine. Seriously, who wears a suit to a club like this?”

All her feigned annoyance forgotten Mira wrinkles her nose. “Right? Totally weird.”

We start dancing again, and I completely ignore the knowing look Navarro throws my way.