I noticed about Charlie earlier. I turn my gaze to him, and my heart catches the second I see him. He’s staring at Victoria and Camden, and the light is out of his green eyes again. My gut says he has unrequited feelings for Victoria, who sees him as a brother and nothing more.
I slide my hand up Xander’s back, grateful that our feelings of attraction are mutual. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had a crush on him and he was oblivious to my feelings.
Roman steps forward and picks up the prawns. “I’ll take these in for you.”
“Thank you,” Christian says.
“I’ll carry something else in,” Bella says quickly, no doubt seeing an opportunity for escape. “What can I take inside?”
“Thank you. If you could take the peppers in after I take them off, that would be great,” he replies. “Everyone else can go in. I’ll bring in the chicken and steak.”
Camden turns to Victoria. “Do women with titles need to be escorted into dinner?”
Victoria cocks her head and bats her eyelashes. “No, but in this case, I will say yes.”
Camden chuckles and offers her his arm. She wraps her hand over his, and he leads her back inside.
Charlie clears his throat and takes a long swig of his beer, and my chest tightens for him.
“Does Tremblay know we consider Victoria our little sister?” Xander asks Christian, his tone sharp.
I repress a smile. The alpha protector is back.
Christian shrugs as he hands Bella the platter. “Do you feel the need to make that clear to him?”
Charlie clears his throat. “Bella, I’ll get the door for you.”
“Thank you,” she says, no doubt wanting to escape this conversation as much he does.
They both step inside, and now it’s me, Xander, and Christian left on the patio. Christian has the meat resting to the side, and he turns off the grill.
“I like Tremblay, but I don’t want him messing around with Victoria,” Xander says, his voice firm.
“Victoria is a grown woman,” Christian says. “Who are we to interfere?”
“I don’t like it,” Xander says, setting his jaw.
“Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s your place to say anything,” I tell Xander. “While I love that you are protective of Victoria, she knows what she is getting with Camden. And I agree with Christian. I think she wants to have fun, and that’s all.”
Xander frowns. I burst out laughing.
“You hate when I’m right,” I tease.
“He also hates that you are telling him so,” Christian adds.
“Shut up, Curry Takeaway,” Xander growls. “I’m going to pull him aside and tell him to knock it off.”
“You are going to do no such thing,” I say. “MYOS.”
“MYOS?” Christian and Xander ask at the same time, confused.
“Mind your own shit,” I say. “Or in your case, MYOSXW. Mind Your Own Shit Xander Wales.”
“I knew I liked you,” Christian says, smiling brightly at me.
“Oh, go away,” Xander snaps.
Christian laughs. He picks up the platter and heads inside. As soon as the door is shut, Xander frowns at me.
“I don’t like Tremblay flirting with Victoria,” he says again, his eyes darkening.
“I know you don’t, and it’s one of the things I adore about you, how much you want to protect those you love,” I say, sliding my hands around his waist. “But she’s not an innocent. And if Victoria wants to snog him or have sex with him, that’s her business.”
“I don’t want that visual in my head!” Xander spits out. “Gross! She’s like my sister!”
I burst out laughing. “You know I’m right.”
He frowns.
“But to make it up to you, I’ll give you a new visual. Me. Naked. In your shower, and I need help washing my back. Maybe even my hair. How about fixating on that instead?”
The scowl dissolves. A look of pure, heated desire takes its place, which sends my pulse skyrocketing.
“How fast can you eat dinner? Because I’m not going to last long with that in my head.”
I giggle and move my hands up his chest. “Come on. Let’s eat. And just know I’ll need a very long shower by the time we get back to your place.”
He groans. I smile.
As we rejoin the party, I’m more grateful than ever that we have always been on the same page.
This is important for us, I think. Even more so as our feelings progress. We’re going to have to talk and share and confide in each other to make sure we stay on this page as we continue to grow.