“Someone has to be the do-gooder at the company,” Max supplied. It was interesting how heavy a yoke duty was for Sebastien, the younger son, who should by rights be fucking off to have orgies in the Mediterranean—or perhaps cavorting around a library, which was more Seb’s style.

“Anyway,” Seb said, “I didn’t mean all that about you being a playboy. Well, I did. But I knew you weren’t going to turn your back on me. I was just . . . worked up to tell you. To tell anyone.”

“Am I the first person you’ve told?” That was flattering.

“Well, technically, you’re the second.”

Max tried to think who Seb would have told. His brother had always been a bit of a loner. He had some friends who— Hang on. “Oh my god! You’re seeing someone!”

“I am not,” Seb said, but he was blushing furiously.

“Who is it?” Max started shoving Seb’s shoulder, because apparently, he had regressed to age twelve. Seb shook his head. “So you’re going to drop this bomb on me, but you’re not going to tell me who.”

Seb smirked. “That is correct.”

Max’s mind started sifting through the possibilities, but the sobering truth was that he didn’t really know that much about his brother’s life. “Is it someone I know?”

Seb smiled all at once, as if it was a reflex, but then schooled his face.

“It is!” Max exclaimed.

“Well, you don’t know him know him. You know of him, I think.”

There went the smile again. Damn. His brother was smitten. Max was dying to know who it was, but he refrained from pushing. He would mount an investigation later.

They talked about the mine project until they arrived at the airfield. As Max cut the engine and turned to Seb, Seb said, “So we’re . . . okay?”

“Yes,” Max said emphatically. “We are grand.” He unbuckled himself, leaned over, and planted a purposefully slobbery kiss on Seb’s temple. “We are grand, and you are grand, and I love you.” He was so damn glad he had his brother back.

Perhaps Seb’s confession had primed Max to be extra emotional. Or perhaps he was that excited to see Dani. Either way, he found himself practically buzzing with anticipation when a small plane appeared in the distance.

They watched as the plane landed and taxied. A stairway dropped, and a few minutes later there she was, paused at the top of the stairs, one hand wrapping a bright-red scarf around her neck, the other arm tucking Max Minimus into her side. Something inside Max settled into place. She caught sight of him and smiled as she set the dog down. He bounded down the steps and headed straight for Max, yapping all the way.