“Why?” I genuinely want to know.

“To be near you, Elise.”

They’re all looking at me in the exact same way. As if that’s it. That’s the truth of everything. They want to be near me.

“I’m not sure.” I shake my head, scrutinizing each of them closely. “But the answer is definitely no if you’re going to turn this into a competition. I’m not interested in being the prize. Or the bone you three fight over. You’ll need to get on the same page.”

Tobias, Banks and Gabe trade long looks, going from questioning to resigned to determined in the space of a few seconds. “We’ll keep our egos at home tomorrow night,” Banks says. “This is about you. Not our male pride.”

“My ego doesn’t detach,” Tobias says, rolling a single shoulder. “That being said, it bothers me that we have upset you and I don’t anticipate doing it again. At least not by trying to pull you apart like a wishbone. I can’t help what comes out of my mouth.”

“We noticed,” I say, trading a smirk with this man I used to fantasize about daily.

The way he holds my gaze, subtly licking the corner of his lips definitely doesn’t raise the temperature of my skin to sizzling. Definitely not.

Lies.

“I’ll need to find a way to get you added to the guest list,” Gabe says, splitting a glance between Banks and Tobias. “I don’t have that kind of pull on my own.”

Wheels turn swiftly behind Banks’s eyes. It’s like looking in a mirror. “I’m the head coach of the New York Flare. We’re always looking for a good cause. Reelecting the mayor who has been a vocal supporter of the team is as good a cause as any.”

We simultaneously look at Tobias. “I’m the ultimate novelty. I’ll get in.” He huffs a laugh. “Coincidentally, I’m a novelty because I always get in.”

I don’t give him the satisfaction of reacting to that. “I don’t know. It’s still…a lot.”

“We won’t make it obvious.” Banks tips his head to one side, a corner of his lips quirking up, his manner sort of cajoling. He’s been so intense since we met, the charm hasn’t quite made an appearance, but here it is. He’s barely turned it on and my stomach has flipped over. “One more chance, Elise?”

“If I say yes, will you leave?”

“Yes,” they reply in unison.

I circle the three men, poking each of them in the shoulder. Their very hard, very muscular shoulders. Goodness. “I am not, under any circumstances, going to end up in a long-term relationship with you three. This is…I don’t know. An experiment that probably won’t go beyond tomorrow night. A diversion. I don’t have time for group chats and your knucklehead friends. Okay?”

“I don’t have any friends,” Tobias brags. “Does that give me an advantage?”

“Goodbye,” I call on my way toward the door, phone in hand. Is it my imagination or do they all seem to sniff me as I pass? “Gabe, which number is yours? I’ll air drop you mine.”