Teacher (Voyeur #6) - Fiona Cole Page 0,7

Did I know them? Would they talk to me? I should have stayed home.

Then I saw Daniel talking with Erik and Kent by the fireplace, his hand full with a drink. My anxiety over the possible men settled, just to start back up again. Only, this time, it was different. More fluttery.

God, he was cute.

Cute? Yeah right.

More like hot, sexy, alluring, dangerous in the best way, tempting. Any, and all, of those applied better than cute.

I hovered by the door, taking in the room, cataloging who was there.

Erik and Kent were with Daniel to the left.

Alex and Olivia were in the kitchen with Carina to the right.

Leaning against the couch off to the side were two guys I’d seen around the office. One of those guys was Sean, and my stomach went on a full rollercoaster when he turned to give me his dimpled smile. I awkwardly smiled back but looked away when I could feel the heat spreading across my cheeks.

Ian was the only man unaccounted for, but not for long. “Little Brandt.” He strolled out from a hallway, his hand held up as he approached.

I stepped back before he could reach me, my back hitting the door, my finger pointed like an angry school teacher. “Swear to God, Ian, if you give me a noogie, I will punch you.”

“I’ll allow it,” Carina called from the kitchen.

And with that, everyone became aware of my arrival. He pulled me in for a quick hug and muttered, “Party poopers.”

I made my way over to Erik first, who stepped back from Daniel and Kent to give me a hug. “You coming to brunch tomorrow?”

“Probably not. I have to go finalize the flowers for the event, and tomorrow was the only time that worked.”

“Mom won’t be happy.”

“I’ll meet her for lunch to make up for it.”

He leaned a little closer. “How are you doing with all the planning?”

I loved Erik, and I understood his protectiveness. I tried to understand his helicopter brothering, but man, it was hard when all I wanted was to get through a day without being reminded of my past. “I’m fine, Erik.”

“When was the last time you talked to Dr. Lane?” he asked, completely missing my exasperation. “I know this time of year can be hard, and I want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”

Casting a glance to Kent and Daniel, I immediately looked away when I caught Daniel’s eye, shifting my back to them and growled to Erik, “Can you keep your voice down, please? I hardly think this is the place to ask me about freaking therapy, Erik. It’s not like I’m going to crumble at the drop of a hat.”

His jaw clenched in irritation, but thankfully, he lowered his voice. “I just noticed you getting a bit tense. I wanted to check in.”

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, shoving any irritation into the box I keep shoved in the corner of my mind before looking back up. “I’m fine. Really. Just busier with work. I don’t need a session with Dr. Lane. I’ve got barre to help me through any tension I may have.”

“Yeah,” he said skeptically. “Okay. Just let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.” One more deep breath. “Okay, I’m heading to the wine and girl talk.”

“Have fun. Tell Alex to find me later,” he joked.

“Gross.”

Before walking away, I turned and offered a small smile to Kent and Daniel.

Daniel merely lifted his glass and nodded. Because what else would he do? It’s not like we were friends. He was a nice man doing me a favor. He was only an acquaintance. However, when I met his ice-blue eyes, familiarity hit my core like I knew him more.

“Wine?” Alexandra asked, already handing me a glass.

“Why, thank you. Are you old enough to drink?” I joked.

We all laughed at her glare, her age being a long-running joke we poked about with good nature. She was nineteen when she met my brother, who was in his thirties.

“Age is just a number,” Olivia chimed in, as she was dating Kent, who was almost forty.

“What’s the opposite of cougars?” Carina asked.

“Call it what you want,” Alex started. “But Erik’s age doesn’t matter because what he does to me in—”

“Nooooooope,” I interjected, making them all crack up. “Anyway,” I said pointedly, changing the subject to Carina’s daughter. “Where’s Audrey?”

“Probably watching How to Train Your Dragon for the seven-hundred and eighty-second time. She’ll be out for dinner, which I need to finish up.”

“I’ll help,” Olivia offered.

Alex