Stuck on You by Heather Thurmeier Page A

dropping the gun. One of the men further down the counter crouched on the ground, picking up the pieces of a tackle box that had spilled its contents all over the floor.
    Zoe whispered in Paige’s ear. “You can give the gun back now. I think our research here is conclusive.”

Chapter Ten
    Miles stretched out in the armchair, his head resting against the back and his feet propped up on the coffee table. It probably wasn’t the most socially acceptable way to sit in a shared space with basically strangers, but he was past the point of caring. After the day he’d had, he needed to relax and not think about anything for a while.
    The day hadn’t been fun or even comfortable with Ben. There’d been no easy camaraderie like he was used to. No inside jokes or laughs of any kind actually. Only hours and hours of walking, driving, and logbook consulting. He’d had dentist visits that had been more fun than today.
    And tonight wasn’t proving to be much better.
    Even though Ben had said he’d keep trying until they reached the end of the competition, he didn’t seem to have much fire in him. It was as if the spark was gone. Fizzled out and replaced with lackluster nothingness. It was probably the worst condition he’d seen him in since right after the accident.
    He raised his head from the back of the chair so he could drink his beer, finding Zoe and Paige chatting quietly with Ben off in the corner of the room at one of the tables.
    What were they up to?
    By the way their heads were all shoved together he had to assume it was something sneaky. Or at least something they didn’t want everyone else to hear. But what?
    Time to find out.
    He pulled himself from the couch and grabbed another cold beer from the kitchen fridge. As he was heading over to join the conspiracy at the table, Eve stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
    “Hey, Miles. You look tired tonight. Want me to give you a massage?” she asked, her eyelashes fluttering.
    Nope.
    “Thanks. That’s really nice of you to offer.” He paused, glancing over to the table where Ben and the girls sat, heads still bowed as if they were conspiring together. Maybe they were. Except for Paige. She might be listening to the others, but her eyes were locked on Eve. If eyes really could shoot daggers, Eve would be painted with a giant bull’s-eye target.
    Jealous?
The thought made him smile.
    “Great. Let’s go back to my room so you can get out of that shirt. I have some delicious black raspberry massage oils. They’re edible.” She licked her lips.
    “Eve, you’re a beautiful woman and you make a tempting offer, but I’m not really on the market right now. I hope you understand.” He started to move away from her, trying to ignore the hurt in her eyes.
    Paige had gotten pulled into the conversation with Ben and Zoe again. Whatever they discussed, she found it more interesting than seeing him with Eve. Although you’d never know that by the look she’d shot at him a few seconds ago. Or maybe he’d misread her expression.
    Regardless, he wanted to be a part of their conversation if it involved his partner. When he got to the table, he turned a chair around, straddling it and folding his arms along the back.
    “What are you all whispering about over here?” he asked.
    “Oh good, sleeping beauty finally woke up to grace us with his presence,” Zoe snapped.
    “I see someone’s been hitting the bitch juice pretty hard tonight,” he shot back with a smile. Damn, Zoe pissed him off.
    “Zoe, stop. That’s not going to help us convince him.” Paige looked down at her hands, obviously embarrassed by their little outburst.
    As Paige slammed the door, he noticed she appeared about as tired as he felt. She had dark circles forming under her eyes and her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, a few stray hairs framing her face. It took all the control he had not to reach out and tuck them behind her ear for her.
    Damn. Even tired and in need of a shower, she