She couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s okay. How about this? I’ll go down. You stay up.”
The man’s eyes widened a hair, and though she couldn’t be sure, he appeared to be struggling with his thoughts for some reason.
“I mean…if it means that much to you,youcan get the ones from the floor, and I can handle those on the counter.”
“I got ’em.”
His short, barked answer was confusing to say the least, but Ro’s much needed coffee was still waiting, and the straws weren’t going to take care of themselves. So she squatted down and got to work.
Stacking the ones she’d collected from the floor onto the other side of the counter—because who wants straws that have been on the floor—they were putting the last of the ones from the counter back into the container when she asked him, “Are you okay? You seem a little off today.”
“I’m good.” A low, decidedly unconvincing rumble. “Just a long night.”
Oh. That.
“I’m sorry.” Guilt assaulted her, and Ro paused to offer a sincere, “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”
Brody’s hand slipped while sliding the final straw into place, tipping the container a second time. On reflex, she grabbed hold of it…and his hands.
He froze. She froze. Their gazes became fixed, and for a split second, Ro thought she saw a flash of heat reflecting in those dark, guarded eyes. But then—
“Here ya go, BroBro!” Megan reappeared with a cheerful smile. “I’ve got your Americano, hot with an extra shot, Rocky’s vanilla cold brew withtwoextra shots, Christian’s white mocha, hot with whipped cream, Liam’s regular mocha frappe, and Jagger’s caramel crunch Frappuccino with extra butter toffee crunch, extra caramel drizzle, and extra whipped cream.”
Brody blinked, breaking the bizarre connection they’d been sharing. “Thanks, Sis.” He reached over the counter to grab the two disposable trays filled with drinks from Megan’s hands. “Guess I’d better get these to the guys so we can head out.”
The other woman shook her head with a grin. “I can’t believe you’re still going to the range after being out drinking last night.”
“For the record, I only had one shot the whole night. And Cade was the only one who got trashed.”
“The only one on theteam, you mean,” Megan chuckled, turning her hazel eyes in Ro’s direction.
“Fine. I got wasted,” Ro admitted. “I got black-out drunk and completely humiliated myself in front of your brother and…who knows who else? Now can we please be adults and just forget it ever happened? I have. Literally.” A soft laugh at the not-so-funny joke.
She hated that she couldn’t remember such a huge chunk of time. Hated the feeling of vulnerability she couldn’t seem to shake.
“Yep,” Brody agreed to her request surprisingly quickly. “I agree. Let’s just forget it ever happened and move on.”
“Thankyou.”
“Suit yourselves,” Megan teased. “I’m totally banking this one to use the next time this one”—she pointed a thumb in Ro’s direction—“gives me crap about something stupid I’ve done.”
Ro sent her friend a deadpan expression as she pointed out, “You realize, in order for that to happen, you’ll have to do something stupid in the future, right?”
“I know.” Megan shrugged. “I mean, it’s me. If any of us is going to do something dumb, it’s gonna be me.”
The three stood staring in silence for a full two seconds before both Brody and Ro nodded their heads in agreement.
“She has a point.” Ro glanced up at the former SEAL.
He chuckled, but the sound was…off, somehow. Almost as if the reaction had been forced. Ro opened her mouth to make sure things really were okay between them, but he didn’t give her the chance.
“I really do need to get going.” Brody tipped his chin toward Megan. “Thanks for the coffee. Be sure to put it on Delta’s tab.”
Megan sent her brother a smile and a wave. “Already did. Have fun at the range and be careful.” The adorable brunette added a belated, “And make sure my fiancé doesn’t shoot himself in the foot! Or…anywhere else. He has an aisle to walk down soon, you know?”
“Oh, I know.” The tall, dark, and heartstoppingly tempting man sent his sister a wink. “Love ya, Sis.”
“Love you, too, BroBro.”