"What?"
“You look so stoic and calm, but it's obvious that you're very worried about him."
His shoulders relaxed, but his frown intensified. "How can you tell?"
"I’m not sure," I said. "Have you spoken to any of your brothers?"
"None of them are answering, which is even more concerning." He said the word as if it felt strange to him. Like he didn't own up to being concerned very often. I had a hunch I was seeing a side of him he usually kept for himself. For some reason, seeing him vulnerable made him even sexier. Although I was probably still rattled by all the hormones that had been rolling off him before he went to shower.
"Why did you let me babble about the party?" I asked. “Let’s go.”
"It’s important to my grandmother. I thought we could at least get this done before going back to Boston, where, according to her, everything is fine. Except for the fact that my grandfather had to go to the ER."
He swallowed hard.
"My suitcase is all packed. I can just go get it, and we can leave right away.”
“No, come on, let's do this. Walk me through everything once before we leave.”
“You promise to pay attention?" I teased.
"I promise to try."
"That's good enough."
"My grandfather is at home, so it's not an emergency right now anyway. But I do want us to fly out straight after the tour."
"Okay." I clapped my hands once. "Pay attention. I’ll be quick."
I swallowed hard, trying to focus.
Oh, Jesus, Natalie, you truly are in danger of losing your damn brain around this man.
I blamed his perfectly sculpted shoulders for that.
––––––––