Page 54 of Instigator

I can’t stop grinning as I walk into the foundation’s conference room. It’s been there ever since my nap with Aidan a few days ago. We slept for about six hours; then he cooked me oatmeal and a turkey sandwich, and we played video games until the sun went down. Then he fed me again, and I invited myself back to his bed, where we slept until morning before he drove me home.

If he didn’t have a game Sunday night, I’m sure we’d still be holed up in his apartment, avoiding the world. I watched his game from my place, and then we played after—from our own places. It’s just like old times, except now we’re doing it with video on, and it feels so fucking nice.

Hailey gives me a smile and a wave, and a pang of guilt hits me as I cross the boardroom to sit beside her. One of these days, she’s going to find out I’m friends with her brother, and she’s going to flip out. I can only hope she approves of our friendship.

“Morning,” she says brightly. “You seem chipper.”

“Just in a good mood.”

“Get laid lately?”

I choke. “What?” That’s not what I expected to hear from her.

The blond rolls her eyes. “You look happy.”

“No, I didn’t get laid,” I say firmly.

Not that I’d be opposed…

“Do you want to?”

I narrow my eyes at my friend. “Hailey MacGregor, are you propositioning me?”

She snickers, unrepentant. “No. But I know someone who would totally be interested in sleeping with you.”

“Who?”

She mimes zipping her lips.

“Hailey, who?” I’m afraid to let myself hope. Did he say something?

When I pin her with my stare, she flinches.

“My brother, okay? I think you should go on a date with my brother.”

“You want me to sleep with your brother,” I correct, ignoring the fact we’ve already slept together. Twice.

“I mean, you’re gorgeous as fuck, and Aidan needs to get back out there. You have enough personality to draw him out of his shell. And fuck, he’s been so grumpy, he could probably stand to get laid. He doesn’t talk about it, but he never goes out. It can’t be healthy.”

“How do you know he’s not seeing someone? Maybe he just doesn’t tell you.”

Hailey shakes her head. “He’s my brother. He tells me everything.”

Somehow, I doubt that.

“I’ve never told my brother or sister about who I was seeing. Not until it became worthy of telling.”

“No, but Aidan and I are different. We tell each other everything. We’re all each other has.” She pauses. “Well, and Ryan too. But after our parents died… He’s my whole world. They both are.”

Exaggerating my reluctance, I heave a sigh. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

She beams. “You will?”

“When and where?”

“He likes this little bistro near our place. Olde Boston Public House? Have you been there?”

I press my lips together. “I’m familiar with it.”