Page 79 of At First Smile
Gillian’s brow creases. “Rowan’s girl?”
Smirking Pen leans towards the laptop and waves. “Hi. You must be Gillian. I’m Pen. Rowan’s…” Her head tilts. “…Well, we actually haven’t discussed labels.”
Leaning towards the laptop, I open and then close my mouth. The word “girlfriend” fights to come out. As Pen says we haven’t discussed labels. I won’t pretend the dip in my stomach at her not saying, “I’m Rowan’s girl” doesn’t exist.
“She’s the woman he’s seeing, and you must be the chef brother.” JoJo’s gaze locks on the screen. “You reallyareattractive. You might be the best looking of the three of you. How are your grilled cheese skills?”
“My what?” Gillian narrows his eyes.
Pen snorts.
“God… JoJo,” Trina groans, massaging her temples.
“What?” She gestures towards the laptop and then to me. “Do you blame me? This is one attractive gene pool. Hell, you already dropped three messages into our group thread about?—”
“JoJo!” Eyes wide, Trina nearly shrieks.
“I’m intrigued. How do I get in this group thread?” Wes chuckles.
“Ditto.” A wry smile covers Finn’s face.
“Youshouldbe intrigued, Boy Brontë.” JoJo winks.
“JoJo!” Trina hisses, her face is almost as red as her hair.
“Isn’t Trina engaged?” I mumble to Pen, who nods.
“Thatring on her finger doesn’t make her unaware of an attractive man.” JoJo winks.
“Which attractive man are we speaking of?” Wes laughs.
“Again, ditto,” Finn adds.
“JoJo, why are we friends?” Trina covers her face.
JoJo’s face twists into an apologetic expression. “Whoops, sorry, girl.”
Shaking with laughter, Pen buries herself into my side. “She has no filter.”
“Clearly,” Gillian mutters, his features set in a harsh expression.
“It’s all part of the JoJo package you have to look forward to, Mr. Sexy Chef Boyardee,” JoJo coos, batting her long lashes.
“I’ll pass. You’re not my type.”
“Gillian!” Forehead puckered, Finn spins in his chair to face Gillian.
JoJo’s flirty expression falters, her red lips drag down into a frown. It’s brief, though. In almost the same moment her lips curl back up. “Your loss.” She shrugs. While there’s a smile on her face, her eyes don’t sparkle with the playfulness she’d had.
“You’re a prick,” I snipe, my icy stare locked on my oldest brother.
“Agreed.” Trina glares.
“I’ve been told.” Averting his gaze, Gillian straightens.
“JoJo, did you want to keep going?” Wes reaches out and squeezes JoJo’s arm.
Eyes blinking, she peers around the room and then clears her throat. “Actually, I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be back.”
