Read The Best Thing for Free Online Page A

Once she let him in, he’d no doubt drop her in a hurry.
    The door opened and Brody walked in. She’d spent the day by herself since all the guys were out on jobs.
    “Sorry I’m a little late,” he said, taking off his coat and slinging it on the chair. “I had to drop Ethan and Zoey off at the airport.”
    “No problem. They get off okay?”
    He cracked a smile. “Yeah. Zoey’s all kinds of excited to go see her mom in concert in Nashville this weekend.”
    Tori leaned back in the chair and grinned. “I’m sure she is. I talked to Riley on the phone earlier this week. She really misses Zoey and Ethan when she’s on the road. She’s thrilled this is the last road trip she’ll be on for a while.”
    He nodded. “Ethan said he’s pretty happy she’s closing out her tour in Nashville. Now that she’s pregnant, she’ll be able to settle back for a while and concentrate on the baby. Ethan’s been nervous as hell with Riley insisting on finishing her tour while she’s pregnant.”
    Tori laughed. “Well, she is in her eighth month, but she’s been super healthy and the doctor’s been monitoring her regularly. But you’re right. She’s finishing up now and she can rest and start nesting.”
    “I’m glad it’s all worked out for them, considering their rocky start. Zoey loves Riley like she’s the only mother she ever had.”
    “The only one she remembers now. And you can’t tell Riley that Zoey isn’t hers. It’s a good fit for all of them. With the new baby almost here, I can’t think of a happier couple, or a happier family.”
    This was a new side to Brody, seeing him all mellowed out and grinning about his brother’s contented family life. “You’d think all that wedded bliss and family life would make you twitchy. Your younger brother is married with a baby on the way, and your older brother just got married this year to his ex-wife’s sister. So much...settling down going on around you. Doesn’t it freak you out?”
    He cocked a brow. “I have nothing against marriage and family, you know.”
    “Of course you don’t.” She couldn’t resist the smirk. “All your relationships with women lasting so long and all.”
    “Hey. I just haven’t found the right one.”
    “Uh huh.” She took a long sip of her giant soda she’d bought earlier. “You are the king of denial, aren’t you?”
    “I can do a relationship.”
    “Careful, you might break out in hives. Or maybe your nose will start to grow. I should get out my tape measure and check it out.”
    “You wanna check out something with a tape measure...”
    She shook her head. “So inappropriate for the office. And you being my boss and all. I should report you to your brothers.”
    “Whatever. Let’s go.”
    “What? Where?” Somewhere she could measure him? The thought both appalled her and flamed her senses.
    “Out of here.”
    “What about my review?”
    “You’re doing a kickass job, like you have been since we first hired you. We’re jacking up your pay twenty percent. I’ve got a write-up about your glowing skills in my file as well as a goals sheet for the next year. I’ll email it to you and copy my brothers. Any questions?”
    Her eyes widened. A twenty percent pay raise? Hell no she wasn’t going to question that. “Uh, no. No questions.”
    “Good. Let’s go.”
    She grabbed her purse and her coat, curious about where he was taking her. He locked the door behind her, but when she headed toward her car, he grasped her arm.
    “We’ll take my truck.”
    Shrugging, she climbed into his truck and he drove off. He was quiet as he drove down Central and turned onto the highway.
    “You’re brooding,” she said as she studied his profile.
    “No, I’m not.”
    “It’s because I insulted you, isn’t it?”
    “Doubtful, since you’re always insulting me. You really can’t hurt my feelings, Tori.”
    “Oh, I’m sure I could if I tried harder.”
    That at least got a curve of a smile. God, he was