4. Conrad
CHAPTER FOUR
Conrad
I blink for the millionth time, trying to clear the images flashing through my mind.
I’ve been working on the same email for twenty minutes now because all I can seem to think about is the beauty from the airplane who gave me hands-down the best sex of my life—in an airplane bathroom, of all places.
But like the idiot I am, I didn’t get her name, let alone her phone number. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Deciding it’s as good as it’s going to get, I send the email just as Brooks saunters into my office from the warehouse part of the building. He sits down in one of the chairs facing me.
My twin uses the hair tie around his wrist to secure his shoulder-length blond locks away from his face. “All the wood for the Dobson project has been delivered. It’s in the warehouse, ready to go.”
“Thanks.”
His forehead wrinkles as he stares at me. “What has you all ‘in your thoughts?’” he says with air quotes.
I just stare at him, not wanting to give him any ammo to tease me with. Brooks is the king of the ladies' men club.
He would never let me hear the end of it if he found out I let a knockout like Airplane Girl slip through my fingers.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he stares at me like he’s searching my brain. I mean, the twin connection stuff is real—at least, between us—but what the hell is he doing?
His eyes light up. “You were super happy when you got back from your trip, like you’d actually gotten laid for once.”
I try to keep my face impassive.
“Okay, silence is a confirmation from Conrad Thompson.” He scratches his chin like he’s some evil genius. “So, you met someone and hooked up with them, but now you’re all stuck in your head.”
He tilts his head back, searching the ceiling for answers. Then his head jerks down again, and he makes eye contact with me.
“You realized you really like her, but either she won’t respond or you’re an idiot and didn’t get her number to begin with.”
His eyebrows raise, waiting for my response.
What the hell? How?
My mask crumples. “How do you always do this? I swear, we should have convinced Austin to start a mind-reading voodoo business instead of the lovely contracting company we have now.”
A shit-eating grin spreads across his face, which I would love to punch right about now.
“So, what is it? She’s ghosting you, or you have no game?”
“I have game,” I snap, glaring at him.
He busts out laughing, slapping his leg. “You didn’t get her number. Do you at least know her name?”
My fists clench as I try to keep myself from launching over the desk and pummeling him.
“Mystery New York Girl, it is, then.”
“It wasn’t in New York.”
His hands slap down on the wooden desk. “Are you telling me you joined the mile-high club, brother?”
I just shrug, trying not to laugh at his stricken face. I’m always the sensible twin, the one who actually thinks things through.
I’m not that serious, though. I do have fun sometimes.
Maybe I should do it more. With Airplane Girl.
“Alright, Airplane Girl, it is,” he says as Austin walks in, sitting down beside him.
“Who’s Airplane Girl?”
Brooks spends the next few minutes telling Austin all the details he somehow gleaned from my brain.
When Brooks finally stops talking, Austin nods, turning to look at me. Man of many words.
“Did you get the contracts settled in New York?”
“It’s all in order.”
Brooks’ head swivels between the two of us. He points to me.
“I know why he’s all in his feels and quiet today.” His finger swivels to Austin. “But why are you even more broody than normal? Did Evelyn put salt in your Cheerios?”
Austin grimaces. “No, but I feel like I need to check my cereal from now on. And maybe not leave my daughter alone with you anymore. And rethink our living arrangements.”
Brooks waves him off. “You know I love that girl like she was my own.”
“She’s not the one I’m worried about,” Austin grumbles under his breath.
Brooks and I both laugh.
“So, what has you all grumpy?” he prods again.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” His eyes close as he adjusts his ball cap. “I do have a project to fill in some of our free time for the next few weeks. Grayson’s mom needs some changes made to her house before her hip surgery.”
Brooks and I both nod in agreement. We’ve both grown closer to Grayson over the years since we moved here after college and started the business with Austin. His mom is an angel, even with her snarky attitude.
“Of course we’ll help with anything she needs,” I say.
“I love that woman,” Brooks adds.
“Please tell me you haven’t had sex with her.” Austin cringes. “She’s like my second mom.
Brooks rolls his eyes. “Maggie is gorgeous, but no. I love her because she’s hilarious and her cookies are bomb.”
“You think she’s hilarious because her humor is the same brand as yours,” I say, shaking my head.
He tilts his head to the side like it’s a revelation.
“I told Grayson and Hadley we would get the materials we need, but that we had a lot of it already here that we could use,” Austin says.
Brooks leans in a little closer. “Who’s Hadley?”
Austin drags in a breath. “Grayson’s younger sister.”
Brooks’ eyes light up. “So Miss Hadley is what has you twisted up in knots this morning. She must be a looker to have you messed up, Mr. I Don’t Do Women Anymore.”
“Get out of my head,” Austin mumbles, sauntering out of my office and over to his own.
Brooks follows behind him. “For once, I’m not the one with woman troubles fucking up my brain. This is a glorious day,” he shouts.
He all but skips into his office, which I honestly don’t even know why he has, because he doesn’t do any of the “office” work for the company.
With both of them gone, the silence settles in. I scrub my hands over my face. I need to just let her go. I’m never going to see her again.