Page 2 of Christmas with Brother's Best Friends
“No, they don’t know about the update,” Ryan speaks up, coaxing my eyes to him. “But I looked at your portfolio and felt like you were a good fit for what we’re trying to do. I have to warn you…it’s a lot in a short amount of time.”
“I noticed that. We only have a few weeks to work on this? New graphics for the whole SyncUp platform and for promotional social media posts leading up to the update launch?” I reply, reeling off the details that I got in their initial inquiry email.
“It’s pretty last minute,” Josh admits with a sheepish grin. “The graphic designer we were initially working with had to drop out suddenly. We had to scramble to find someone else who has enough talent and vision to do this project.”
It’ll be a crunch, and it’ll be a lot of work, but I like them, and I like their mission to make remote work more accessible. The update that they’re preparing to launch on Christmas Eve will have new features and a new look, thanks to me.
“We can do this,” I assure them as a look of determination settles on my face. I then smile at Ryan, our matching green eyes locking. “Good choice picking me for the job.”
The side of his mouth turns up as he nods.
If he’s not going to come to me, I’ll go to him.
I playfully poke the impressive bulge of his bicep through his suit jacket. “Looks like you’re taking advantage of working remote and working out on company time.”
“If you can’t reach him for some reason, just check the gym,” Josh says, prompting a chuckle from Max. “He might as well live there.”
Ryan rolls his eyes and wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me against his broad chest.
I can barely touch my own hands because he’s so built. He could probably crush me right now if he put his mind to it. “Well, I think we’ll all be living here for the next few weeks if we want to get all this work done in time.”
Ryan releases me, not lingering for too long. “I’ll send you a schedule of deadlines we have to meet to stay on track.”
I nod and glance around the office, seeing a few doors to small rooms, some desks, and even a lounge area with couches. “I’m guessing the other employees are working remotely?”
“It would be scummy of us to create a remote work platform and not let our own employees use it,” Josh says with a wry grin. “They’re always welcome to come here, but it’s mostly us three conducting meetings here.”
“We would like for you to work at the office with us during these next few weeks, though,” Max adds. “It’ll be easier to work together if we’re in the same space.”
“I’d actually be really happy to work here with you guys,” I tell them, feeling a spur of eagerness, even if the thought of being stuck in an office with them for weeks makes me a little nervous.
My heart rate still hasn’t slowed down since I first saw them, and it’s going to be a little harder than normal to focus on my work if my mind keeps going back to how ridiculously good they look.
They probably just see me as their best friends’ little sister.
Idon’twant that, even if that’s the tough truth. They’re essentially forbidden fruit and my new bosses for the next few weeks.
“I should give you a tour then,” Josh offers. “Max and Ryan can get you up to speed on the actual project when we’re done.”
Max smirks. “A tour of what?”
“He’s just being selfish. He wants her to himself,” Ryan comments, flashing Josh a knowing look before walking off.
I raise an eyebrow at his claim, but my curiosity evaporates when Josh moves closer to me, his hand grazing my back. “You need to learn to play well with others,” I tease.
“I’ve been running a company with two other people since we were in our late twenties. I know how to share,” Josh assures me as our eyes lock.
I think we’re still talking about work.Right?
“Good. I’ll have to work with all of you to get the details right,” I reply, grounding myself in professionalism to the best of my ability.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Max asks as he tilts his head at me. His gaze skims its way up my body, slow enough to make my skin flame.
He’s never looked at me like that before, but I suppose I’ve never thought about them like this before. Time has changed us in more ways than one, cloaking the boys who I used to know with a veil of mystery that I want to see beneath.
I should keep my hands off and keep my distance, but we’ll be stuck together for weeks in this office. There’s no telling what will happen within these walls if I can’t keep my desires within my own head. I just hope I don’t do something I can’t take back.
Chapter two
