“All the answers to every mystery in the universe could be down there and you still wouldn’t find me in a place like that,” Gianna said, pulling him from his thoughts. His cousin could handle mice, snakes, and any insect that came her way, but rats were a different story.
Duncan didn't entirely agree with her. He wasn't a fan of rats either, but depending on the treasure, he'd wade through them like the character was now. But it would have to be one hell of a treasure.
“Yeah, I'm not sure which would be worse, rats or snakes. Just watching the scene inRaiders of the Lost Arkmade my skin crawl,” Tory said.
He'd noticed she'd looked away from the television when the hero and heroine got sealed underground with the snakes. As a general rule, snakes didn't bother him. He had his job every summer working for Uncle Corey to thank for that. You couldn’t work as a landscaper and not come across snakes. Of course, the snakes on Sanborn Island were harmless, making it easy to deal with them.
“Snakes don't bother me. Still, I wouldn't want to be sealed up with thousands of them,” Gianna said, checking her beeping cell phone.
“Is everything okay?” Alec asked.
“It’s a weather alert.” With a job so weather-dependent, Gianna had her phone set up to receive regular weather updates. “You might be stuck with us an extra day, Duncan. They don’t expect this storm to move out of the area until tomorrow evening.”
The snow had been off and on throughout the morning and early afternoon. Since Alec and Gianna returned from their concert, though, it hadn't stopped. Instead, it and the wind had picked up in intensity, and it wouldn’t surprise Duncan if the city lost power.
“You're always welcome here, Gi. You know that.” Duncan gestured toward Alec. “He, on the other hand, is another story.”
Alec lifted his head off Gianna's lap, which he'd been using as a pillow. “Duncan, you're not fooling anyone here. We all know you love me.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Duncan winked at his cousin. “I only keep you around because you make Gianna happy.”
“I appreciate the sacrifice, Duncan. Truly I do,” Gianna said, somehow managing not to smile.
With no good response, Duncan went back to watching the movie. His thoughts quickly turned away from it again and to the people around him. Life didn't get much better than this. He had his favorite cousin and his closest friend sitting to his left, and the woman he loved snuggled up against him. When he'd made the bet with Alec months ago, he'd never imagined this would be the outcome. But he wouldn't complain about the unexpected turn of events. Hell, right up until he walked on stage, he'd been kicking himself for making the stupidest bet of his life. But, in reality, it turned out to be the best thing he'd ever done for both him and Alec.
Duncan didn't care if they had company. Leaning toward her, he kissed her. “I love you.”
The dimple he loved so much appeared in her right cheek when she smiled. “Love you too.”