Page 87 of Hard Hat Hottie

“Rob, what are you doing here?”

“Hey, nice to see you too, Har.” He chuckles. “Alec was telling me about a video they watched at their summer arts and crafts program where people were building cool things out of household items instead of Legos. I thought I’d surprise him by helping him build something.”

“Here?”

“Sure, why not?”

“No way! That would be awesome.” Alec is literally jumping up and down.

Leaning forward, I look for his other half. “You here alone?”

“Yeah. Jimmy’s been busy with work.”

I quirk a brow at him. What exactly is happening here? It’s been years since I’ve seen one of these two without the other. “Alec, can you do Mom a favor?”

“Sure, what?”

“Can you go get the green felt from the playroom we put down over the kitchen table when we work on puzzles? So, we can move the project when it’s time to eat.”

“Okay.”

Once Alec and Justin are out of ear shot, I give Rob the inquisition. “Why are you really doing this?”

“I’m trying to step up, Har. I want to be more involved with Alec.”

Hmmm.I hate being so suspicious.

“And it gets lonely at the house when everyone’s working.”

“Rob, you know there’s a solution to that, right?”

“Yes.” He narrows his eyes at me. “I’ve applied for a few things. I’m waiting to hear back.” Well at least he’s not holding out for a management position.

Shaking my head, I decide to pour myself another cup of coffee. This week is going downhill fast. “You want a cup?”

“Sure. Oh, that reminds me. I almost forgot.” He runs out the front door like the house’s on fire before returning with a large grocery bag. As I place his mug of coffee next to him, he retrieves box after box of sugar cubes.

“Um, Rob? You want a little coffee with your sugar?” I laugh.

He looks at me dumbfounded, and I point to the boxes. “Oh, these. They’re to make the castle.”

I tilt my head, completely overwhelmed by this nonsensical conversation.

“After Alec watched the videos of people making a pretend playground set out of sour gummy candies, he said he’d want to make a castle. I wasn’t sure where to go with it, ’til I saw Harry.”

My head whips over to him, certain I’ve heard him wrong.

“Who?”

“Your boyfriend. Well, I guess he’s not your boyfriend anymore.”

How on earth does Rob know so much about my love life? Has Alec been telling him we don’t see each other anymore? “I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”

“I was at the grocery store, wandering the aisles, trying to think of something cool to use to build the castle. Then I see Harry. I told him my plan, and he said to try these.”

“When was this, exactly?”

“About a week ago. That’s when I figured you two must not be together anymore.”

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