“Sure,” Boaz said, falling into step beside him as they headed toward his office tucked behind the dry room.
Inside, it was cooler.
Hansel went straight to the mini fridge, pulling out two cold beers. He tossed one to Boaz without looking, then made his way over to the desk. With a tired sigh, he dropped into his chair and turned on the computer.
Boaz caught the bottle, twisted the cap off, and took a long gulp. The cold beer hit his throat, cooling the heat that still clung to him.
“Come look at this,” Hansel said, already clicking through something on the screen.
Boaz chuckled as he stepped closer. “If you wanted help with the books, you should’ve just said so.”
“I’m telling you now,” Hansel replied, flashing him a bright, unapologetic smile. “I need help with the books.”
“You think you’re smart,” Boaz said, shaking his head.
“I know I’m smart.”
“Yet you still can’t do this on your own,” Boaz shot back, setting his beer down on the desk before walking around to grab the spare chair. He dragged it over and dropped it beside Hansel, turning his attention to the screen.
“I can,” Hansel said easily, nudging his shoulder. “I just like it better when you’re here.”
Boaz bumped him back, a small smirk tugging at his lips before he focused on the numbers in front of them.
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly as Boaz and Hansel went through the books together, checking numbers, making sure everything was in order. By the time they were done, the sun was already dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges and golds.
Boaz stretched his arms over his head as he stepped out of the office, his muscles pulling tight after hours of bending over thescreen. He rolled his shoulders, trying to shake off the stiffness, then paused and sniffed the air.
The scent of meat sizzling over an open fire filled his lungs, making his stomach growl.
He glanced over his shoulder at Hansel. “Are we having a BBQ tonight?”
“Yeah,” Hansel said, pushing himself up from his chair. “Figured we could use something hearty after that grueling work.”
“You think that was grueling?”
“Yes,” Hansel said, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. “I’m not built for that kind of suffering.”
Boaz laughed, shaking his head.
“See you later, Mr. Delicate,” he said, already turning away as he headed toward his cabin.
But as he reached the clearing, his steps slowed.
The long tables were already being set up, people moving back and forth with plates and trays, laughter and chatter filling the air. The smell of meat cooking over the fire drifted through the space, thicker now.
Boaz let out a low sound under his breath, his mouth watering.
And then he saw him. Alexander. And right beside him was Lyla.
Fucking hell.
He was already here.
Boaz didn’t waste another second. He turned on his heel and hurried back to his cabin, pushing the door open and heading straight to the bathroom. He cleaned up as quickly as he could, scrubbing away the sweat and dirt from the day, then pulled on his best clothes.
When he was done, his gaze drifted to the painting.
It sat exactly where he’d left it.