But I had faith there was someone great out there for her. Someone who would challenge her and excite her the way Rhys challenged and excited me.

“Then he’s not worth another thought,” I said, referring to her blind date.

She gave me a weary smile. “Hey, maybe Rhys has a friend.”

Oh, I’d seen the handsome guys who worked out at Rhys’s gym, and they’d fall on their knees to get within breathing distance of Zoe Liu. I grinned at the thought. “Maybe.”

“Or there’s his brother.”

I frowned at the thought of Dean. “The jury is still out on Dean Morgan. Rhys may think his brother has nothing to prove, but I don’t agree. Rhys has done a lot for him. I just hope Dean sees that and steps up. But until then, no Dean Morgan for you. In fact, maybe never. Truthfully, it’s going to be difficult to find a guy worthy of you.”

Zoe laughed. “Okay, then, Mom.”

“Oh, please. You love it that I think the sun shines out of your ass.”

My best friend’s eyes widened. “Did you just curse?”

My lips twitched. “Possibly.”

She threw her head back in laughter. “Oh man, I’m definitely buying that boy another Harley.”

* * *

Rhys

“You slept with her, didn’t you?”

Dean’s voice cut through my fog. He leaned over me from where I lay sprawled on the couch. A stupid grin lit up his face.

“What?” I hedged, then gave up and shook my head with a laugh. “How the fuck did you come to that conclusion?”

Dean rounded the couch and slumped down on the armchair next to it. “By virtue of that dopey-ass grin you’re wearing and the fact that I called your name three times without you even blinking.”

“Shit.” A grin pulled at my mouth. Because, yeah, I had a lot to grin about.

“Fuck,” Dean muttered. “You totally got laid. Asshole.”

“Why am I the asshole?” Brothers. You’d think Dean would be happy for me. I’d be happy for him if he found a good woman who rocked his world. Hell, I’d be ecstatic; maybe he’d focus on his future, then.

“Because it could have been me,” he said with a wink.

I lurched up with a snarl. Dean wisely scrambled from his chair and danced out of reach.

“I’m joking.” He lifted his hands in apparent innocence.

“Yeah? Well, tell a better joke because I’m not laughing.”

His lips twitched. “Not even a little?”

“Still not funny, shithead.”