Page 60 of Your Last First Kiss

I clench my teeth, trying to keep all my emotions in check. “Yeah.”

“Jesus, Pen.” Miller surges forward and wraps me in a hug. “It’s okay to let someone in. Not everyone is like Eddy.”

“I’m certainly not,” Dillon growls from behind Miller. With my head buried in Miller’s chest, I can’t see Dillon, but I feel him everywhere.

Miller roughly rubs his hands up and down my biceps, like he’s shaking some strength into me, then steps back but turns to block me from Dillon’s view. “Do you like Minecraft?”

“Mine what?” Dillon asks. His head tilts far to the right so he can see me, and I offer a watery smile.

“It’s a video game that the kids love. Come on. Too many cooks in the kitchen and all that,” Miller says, ushering Dillon ahead of him.

Thank God for Matty Miller.

* * *

We’re crowdedaround the table, Miller on one side of me, Kai on the other, and Dillon directly across from me.

The little kids are taking advantage of the full house and sit crisscross on the floor in front of the TV. Their bowls, hopefully, will remain on the coffee table. Ugh, the damage beef stew would do to the carpet out there. I shake away the thought and focus on my meal while the boys in front of me talk.

I try not to smile every time Kai injects himself into the conversation, but I wasn’t anticipating Dillon encouraging him to participate either. As they recall every detail of their day, Dillon doesn’t miss a chance to praise Kai or bring him in and ask his opinion. And then, every once in a while, I catch Kai staring at his bowl with a frown.

What’s he thinking? Is this confusing for him?

Then he’ll pop his head up like he’s warring with himself.

Oh, God. Does he feel guilty for liking Dillon?

And then, sometimes, the fifteen-year-old in him can’t help but bubble out.

“Who is the biggest celebrity you’ve ever had as a client?” Kai asks anxiously. “Any athletes?”

Dillon sits patiently and dips his bread into the stew while he thinks. I’m entranced as he brings a big glob to his mouth. How can he make chewing sexy?

When he catches me staring, he winks before turning back to Kai. “There’s this thing called confidentiality. But maybe when you’re older, I can get you on the payroll, and you can see for yourself.”

“No. Way,” Kai says in awe, and I bite back a squeak.

“What?” Dillon asks. “We’ve done internships before. There’s a lot that can be done at Envision without ever going in the field.” Turning back to Kai, he lowers his voice. “There is a certain New England Patriots quarterback who left the team a few years ago.”

“The GOAT?” Kai whispers back.

Dillon shrugs but has a huge smile on his face. “His wife was attending the Met Gala, and they needed our specific brand of expertise.”

“Holy crap. Mom. Did you hear that?”

Dillon must have seen Kai’s room because it’s covered in everything Boston sports has to offer.

“How did you end up a Boston sports family when you’re closer to New York?” Stew dribbles over his lip, and I can’t speak when his tongue comes out to lick it away.

“Gramma and Grandpa were from Rhode Island,” Kai answers, utterly oblivious to my suddenly dry mouth.

Miller kicks me under the table. “You’re drooling,” he says with a cough, drawing Dillon’s attention to me.

I’m going to kill Matty Miller.

“Me too,” Dillon says, staring straight into my eyes.

“You too what?” Kai asks.