Page 7 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“So you all have jobs that can support you?This is good.”Dad also works as a part-time worship minister at Grace Fellowship.Which helps.But he loves the campground too much to want to be a full-time pastor.

Noah leans back and narrows his eyes at me.“I’m glad you’re back.You know that.But I’m a little worried you could ruin everything.We don’t need some corporate pirate to come in here and tell us all we can’t work here anymore.I know the books.We’ve got issues, but we’ll figure it out.”

The word corporate pirate grates at me.It makes sense that he has some lingering resentment.He’s been here all these years, and I haven’t, and even though we’ve both been on the outside of the family a bit, he’s still been here supporting Mom and Dad.I shouldn’t blame Noah.He’s the only one who messaged me before I got here and told me he was glad I was coming.

“Not according to Dad.And I won’t tell you to not work here.Also, I’m the opposite of a corporate pirate.I study businesses and help them maximize their strengths so they can reinvent and put things back together.I can also see potential where others can’t.In all the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve only suggested companies fire people a handful of times, and that was because the individuals were stealing from the company.Dad has asked—begged me really—to come do the same thing here.Things will look different when it’s all over, and you might even be able to quit your day job.But I’m telling you now, the process will be messy.”

He nurses his beer and doesn’t say anything else, and I try to spot Mae again.

Mark suddenly leans on the table and slaps me upside the head.“Sethy, put your eyeballs back in your head.”

“What are you talking about?”I don’t yell at him about calling me Sethy.Or the slap.If he’s giving me a bad time, at least he’s including me.

“You’ve been staring at Mae all night.”He glowers and drops into the chair next to me.

“That’s ridiculous.I have not.There are a dozen girls out there.How do you know I’m not staring at one of them?”

“Because Mae’s the only one besides Abi over eighteen.The others would be creepy.Unless you’re a creep now.”His words come out harsh.

“Fine.I’m staring at Mae.And I know for a fact that several of those girls are in college.”

Mark gives me a once-over.“Why are you still wearing that?”

“Mom said a fancy party.”I dust off the arm of my gray suit jacket.All the rest of the guys are wearing nice t-shirts and jeans.I’m the only one in a suit, but I don’t care.It reminds me of who I am.

“Here, that means no shorts or flip-flops.”

“Whatever.”The room is suddenly sweltering.I hang my jacket over a chair, loosen my tie, and roll my sleeves up to my forearms.“Better?”

Mark shrugs.“Mae, though.She’s a good girl.She’s worked here for years.Whatever you do, don’t hurt her, or we’ll all end you.”

Noah grunts in agreement.

She’s my best friend.I would never hurt her.Besides, what about the other guys she’s dated?I’m glad she broke up with Rick, but I can’t figure out why she didn’t tell me.

“I won’t hurt her.Believe it or not, I’ve gotten to know her thanks to Abi.She’s been a friend for years.But look at her.I had no idea she was that beautiful.”I can’t take my eyes off her.She laughs at something Abi says.I love that laugh, and I’ve heard it often.

Noah’s gaze sits on her for too long.“We know.Last year, we all went on dates with her.”

“What?”My stomach hardens, and my fists involuntarily clench.I kind of want to punch them all in the nose.Or any other guy who’s looking at her too long.

Mark chuckles.“Abi wants Mae to be her sister for real, but none of us could get past the fact that she wasalreadytoo much like a sister.”

The music changes from fast pace to slow, and I don’t even think.

“Excuse me a minute.”I set my beer on the table and make my way across the room.Mae’s eyes meet mine, and a smile forms across her gorgeous face.I’ve seen that smile a million times on a tiny screen, but I had no idea it was so stunning in person.

I hold my hand out.“Dance with me.”

She slips hers into mine, and I slide my hand onto her lower back, pulling her close.Probably closer than I should, but I can’t seem to help myself.Her eyes widen, but she relaxes into me, her fingers playing with the hair on the back of my neck.

We dance in silence for a few moments, and I focus on the way our bodies move together.How someone might have to physically peel me away from her.I have no idea what’s going on with me.

I bring my head down so my lips are close to her ear.She shivers.I want to tell her how I feel, but it seems too soon, and she’s my best friend.I don’t want to ruin that.

“Why didn’t you tell me you broke up with Rick?”

She usually tells me everything about the guys she dates—she told me when she first started dating him last September.But then again, she didn’t mention dating all my brothers either.It makes me wonder how many other things she doesn’t tell me.

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