Page 51 of Fighting Gravity

The choking noise from Quinn said that she might not agree.

Tate recognized the mischief in Maisie’s brown eyes. “What?”

“The boys are on their way. They’re driving the U-Haul with all my stuff.”

He grinned. Maze being at the villa might be awkward after their last encounter, but having the boys there would help. Sure, he’d likely get teased all weekend about his real name and billionaire status, but the Case kids wouldn’t show up if they hadn’t forgiven him for his deception. “Well, fuck. We’re gonna need more food.”

“And more beer.” Maisie snatched his barely touched beer off the counter and settled herself at the picnic table.

“I never thought I’d say this to anyone in my life,” Quinn hissed. “But you havesomuch explaining to do.”

Quinn was more forgiving when Maddox and Malone mobbed into their space the next day. Full of flattery for her and shit-talk for Tate, Quinn was easily rolled up into their dynamic. Tate understood. He’d been drawn in the same way eight years ago.

“Dude, we thought you were a tech bro from Seattle. You’re a fucking space billionaire? I can’t believe it.”

Both boys were shirtless, Maddox floating lazily in the pool and Malone sitting on the ledge, dangling his legs in while nursing a beer. They hadn’t left the pool since they’d arrived that morning.

Tate snickered. “Space billionaire” sounded like something out ofThe Fifth Element.

Maisie and Quinn were lounging on the poolside patio, which Tate had seen his cousin do exactly zero times before. Quinn was fully clothed and under an umbrella with a sparkling water, while Maisie was in a bikini and stretched face-down on a reclined lounge chair. She’d mentioned at least three times how shitty the summer had been and how badly she needed sun.

Tate had been relieved to discover that Maisie in a bikini didn’t affect him in the slightest. The moment in his cabin had been a bourbon-fueled fluke, an almost-oops they both regretted. She hadn’t said so, but he had been watching her. There was no heat when she looked at him. She hadn’t touched him. The lack of feelings on both sides made their ongoing friendship actually possible.

He’d been checking in with Rosie all week, and she’d actually been doing the same. Tate was grateful for the thaw, though it would be nice to know Rosie felt what he did, that she wanted the same things.

“I’ve got a project for my freeloading house guests,” he announced, smiling. The timing of their arrival was perfect for the tiny house project he’d put off so he could spend last weekend worshipping Rosie.

Maddox snorted.

“You want me to feed you or not?”

Standing up in the water, Maddox patted his washboard abs. “Guess so. I’m wasting away over here.”

“It’s a building project.”

“Six years building your damn cabin wasn’t enough?” Malone griped.

Tate shrugged. “Shouldn’t have shown me your skills.”

Maisie snickered.

Tate glanced at her over his shoulder. “You too, Maze. You’re as good with a hammer and belt sander as they are.”

She groaned.

“Well, I’m not sorry to be going to work tomorrow,” Quinn remarked.

“There’s always tomorrow night,” Tate reminded her. “And all weekend.”

She shook her head. “I’ve got plans tomorrow night.”

Tate paused. Since when did Quinn make plans?

“Quinn,” Maddox pouted. “Don’t leave me alone on a Friday night.”

She rolled her eyes as she muttered in French.

“I was hoping to see OrbitAll,” Malone said seriously, twisting to look at Tate.

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