Page 22 of Stolen Kisses

"I don't have anything this week," I said.

"How is that possible? You always have, like, fifty ideas," Finn said.

I shrugged. "Not this morning."

Finn chuckled. "Look at him, still pouting because his best friend got married. I'm so impressed you didn't scare him away from it."

I sat up straighter in my chair. "Why does everyone keep thinking I'm a jackass?"

Knox frowned. "Who's everyone? We're just making fun of you, dude."

“Hannah wasn't very—” I didn’t manage to finish my sentence, as Finn and Knox flashed cheeky grins, and Duncan exchanged a glance with Griffin.

Wyatt looked at the whole group. "I feel like I'm missing something. Why are you all making awkward facial expressions at each other?"

"Well, our brother here had a bit of a beef with the bride's sister," Knox began.

“They met at the airport and started off on the wrong foot. Then they danced,” Finn added. “It was my idea and turned out even better than I thought.”

"Yeah, and then he kissed her, didn't he?" Griffin said.

The room was silent. My brothers were shocked. So was I. I had no idea he knew.

"You saw us?" I asked, because it was the only logical conclusion I could draw.

"Yeah. Don't worry, I didn't watch for too long."

Duncan tilted his head toward me. "What's your game, man?"

"Nothing. It just happened. Why are we even discussing it at our round table?"

"You didn't have anything else to talk about, so this topic is as good as any. Maybe we should have a round of gossiping on our Monday mornings. That would be a way to start the week," Finn said.

"Something's bothering you," Duncan remarked, ignoring Finn.

I nodded, not really wanting to share Hannah’s personal business situation but also thinking my brothers might be able to help. "I think she's in some kind of trouble."

"What do you mean?" Griffin asked quickly, not joking anymore.

"I don't know. I was just thinking about ways to figure that out. Maybe I'll reach out to a private investigator or something."

Finn and Knox burst out laughing.

"Guys, he's not kidding," Wyatt said.

It was Griffin's turn to look perplexed.

Duncan leaned slightly toward me. "Why don’t you ask her?" he suggested.

I stared at him. "You don't think I did that, genius?"

"Why don't you ask Josh?" Griffin countered.

“Finally, someone with a good idea,” I conceded.

Knox clapped his hands once. “Who said we can’t be productive after a weekend where we barely slept?”

Duncan laughed. "This is a day I think we'll all remember. Instead of pitching billion-dollar ideas, our brother asked for our advice on the girl he likes."

---