Page 21 of Honey Sunshine

“Which one, Austin? I need a name.”

“The same one we always go to, downtown,” he answers with a hiccup. “I couldn’t take it anymore, Zach. I looked at Mr. Ribero’s face and saidfuck him! If he wants me back as his stupid secretary, I want fucking ten percent—no,fifteenpercent of his company! If not, fuck him! Fuck everything!” He pauses for a bit. “I fucked him, Zach.”

Oh boy.

“And now he wants nothing to do with me. I am so, so stupid! Your little bro fucked up!”

I knew Austin had a thing for his boss but I never thought anything would come of his one-sided crush. Apparently I was wrong. I try not to be too shocked that Dominic Ribero, who’s rumored to be a ladies man and as straight as straight comes, slept with my brother.

“All right. Stay where you are. I’ll be there soon.”

“You’re the best. I love you. I love you so much.You’re the only one who gets me, you know that? I’m so happy you’re there for me. You know, gay brothers for life, you know?”

Oh god, he’s beyond intoxicated.

Hanging up, I let out a loud groan.

“Everything okay?”

I turn back to Harvey, his brows knitted together in concern.

“Yeah, my brother Austin, I think he quit his job,” I explain. “Boss issues—it’s complicated—and right now, he’s completely wasted at a bar. I’m going to pick him up before he does something stupid. Yeah...” I trail off, knowing full well that’snot the only reason I’m grabbing on to the excuse of my brother’s call to make a quick exit.

I’m still not back to earth. My skin is still tingling from his touch. Hell, I can still feel him all over me.

Does he feel it too?

It probably doesn’t mean anything to him. We both got swept up in the heat of the moment. Nothing to overthink about or attach meaning to.

He stares at me for a while. “Do you need me to come with you?”

I shake my head. “I think it’ll be better if it’s just me.”

Austin can be fairly emotional when he’s had one too many drinks, and having his heart smashed by his boss won’t make him any more level-headed. He’s a good guy, but sometimes he puts his emotions before his common sense.

I guess I can’t totally fault him for that when I do the same thing. Am I doing the same thing right now, with Harvey?

“Got it.” He nods. “Text me when you get to your place. I want to know you arrived home safely.”

This man is unbelievably sweet.

“I will,” I say, pressing my lips together to give him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry we couldn’t?—”

“You don’t have to be sorry for anything. I get it. Family comes first,” he interjects, his gaze sweeping over me. “And I think we’ve had enough... practice for tonight.”

I try not to blush. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me either,” he replies with a chuckle. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow, then?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say as he walks me to the elevator. Just before I step inside, he grabs my arm and pulls me to him, planting a kiss on my lips.

“Drive safe.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded, as the elevator doors close. Did he just?—

Nah, he’s just being kind. It’s not like he meant anything by that.

By the time I return home after dropping Austin off and making sure he’s all right, I feel completely drained from the events of the night.

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