“No.” And I mean that. At least, that’s what my head is saying; my heart might be vying for another option.

Something behind me catches Rogan’s attention; a sly grin spreads across his face. “Would you look at that,” he mutters under his breath and then lifts his hand to beckon someone behind me. “Hey, join us.”

Before I can turn my head, I hear her voice. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

“You’re not intruding at all.” Rogan nods at me. “You can have a seat next to Griffin. Go on—move over, Griff.” There’s a spark in Rogan’s eyes that makes me want to reach across the table and punch him square in the eye.

Her perfume hits me first, and then a little playful nudge of her shoulder. “Hey, haven’t seen you around in a bit.”

Because I was avoiding you . . . because I can’t get you out of my head.

Because I’m stupidly desperate to find out what your lips taste like on mine.

I turn to see Ren holding a platter of original Jake Cakes, a small order of waffle fries, and a giant soda—it makes me smile, knowing she took my advice on lunch, but that smile quickly fades when I see the mint-green sundress she’s wearing. The straps are thin and delicate, hanging over her shoulders, the V in the front showing off way more than I would have expected from an algebra teacher, and her skin looks like it’s been kissed by the sun over the last few days.

With her hair pulled back into a high ponytail, a light coat of mascara on those long eyelashes, and a gloss on her lips, she looks gorgeous, and with Rogan staring me down, watching my every move, I know he can tell just how affected I am in her presence.

“Uh, yeah, been busy with work.” I cough and turn away, catching the smirk on Rogan’s face right before Jake walks up to us, a tray in hand.

“Hey, boys, it’s about time you stopped by.” He sets down a plate of cakes in front of me along with waffle fries and a drink and then gives Rogan a salad.

A fucking salad. It’s his usual, which Jake only makes for a few choice people.

Jake grips the empty tray to his chest as he spots Ren beside me and holds out his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jake.”

Ren takes his hand, and I watch carefully as Jake’s eyes stay trained on Ren’s. That’s right, buddy—keep your focus on her face and nothing else.

“Hi, I’m Ren. I’m the new algebra teacher. It’s really nice to meet you.”

Still holding her hand, Jake smiles. “Oh yeah, Brig was telling me all about the hot algebra teacher.” Ren blushes immediately. “Didn’t Griffin come to your rescue?”

“Not something we need to talk about right now,” I cut in, not wanting Ren to live through that moment again. That’s old news by now.

Jake looks between the two of us, the young, fun-loving guy slowly curving his lips up. “Oh shit, are you two dating?”

“What?” My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline, and I scramble to stop any sort of gossip before it begins. “No, just friends. Neighbors. Acquaintances.”

From across the table, Rogan gives me a sarcastic thumbs-up.

“Oh, sorry about that, man.” Jake turns back to Ren, who has kept her eyes fixated on her plate in front of her. Shit, I hope I didn’t hurt her feelings. “If you’re not dating Griffin, maybe—”

“The restoration committee,” I shout before Jake can say what I think he was going to say. My outburst startles Ren; she jumps in her seat. I smile at her and then turn back to Jake, who has the same knowing smirk on his face as Rogan. I’ve known Jake for a long time; he’s really good friends with Brig, and he’s almost like a fourth brother to me. The ribbing I’ll get later is going to be bad, very bad. “Uh, I think we’re going to focus on your section this coming weekend. Make sure it’s ready for the upcoming Lobster Fest. Make sure you have paint.”

Jake slowly nods. “That’s not a problem. Anything else you need from me?”

I shake my head. “I think that’s about it. Thank you.”

“And I should expect you . . .”

“Five in the morning. Ruth is bringing the coffee; I’ll have the scones.”

“Sounds good. See you then.” Jake turns his attention back to Ren. “It was nice to meet you. If you need someone to show you around town, let me know.” With a wink, he takes off back to his truck, leaving me irritated.

“Goodness, you startled me.” Ren playfully swats my shoulder. “Why did you have to scream like that?”

“Did I scream? I think it was more like talking loudly. Wouldn’t you agree, Rogan?”

He pops a bite of lettuce in his mouth. “Sounded like screaming to me.”

Who the fuck’s side is he on?

I hastily change the subject. “How are the crab cakes? Good, right?”

Ren nods, mouth full. She chews and swallows before answering. “These are so freaking good. You were right the other night; these are perfect.”

“The other night?” Rogan gently pries.

Oblivious of Rogan’s needling intentions, Ren nods happily. “Uh-huh. Griffin brought over some of Oliver’s famous ice cream to my house, you know, the secret stuff only locals know about, and I asked him all about his favorite places to eat. It’s why I’m here. I wanted to see what the big deal was all about. Glad I came, because these crab cakes are the best I’ve ever had.”

My head is down, eyes focused on the food in front of me, but all I can feel is Rogan’s stare, his questioning gaze beckoning me to look up.

“You brought her ice cream? You know the rules about my properties, dude. No ice cream.”

“What? Really? Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Rogan, I mean Mr. Knightly. I didn’t mean—”

“He’s fucking with you, Ren,” I say before she has a panic attack. “And for the love of God, do not call him Mr. Knightly. We don’t need his head any bigger than it is.”

“I don’t know.” Rogan takes a sip of his water. “Mr. Knightly sounds really good on the ears, especially since I’m her landlord.”

I level with him. “Don’t be a dick.” I catch Ren’s worried gaze. “Call him Rogan, and eat whatever the hell you want in the house. There are no rules.”

“Do you know that for sure? Have you read the fine print?” Rogan pushes, a spark igniting under his ass I haven’t seen in a while. My guess is it’s from seeing his older brother squirm. I’m usually levelheaded and unfazed, but around Ren I turn into a hot fucking mess.

“Oh, I read the fine print,” Ren says, a forkful of crabmeat ready to be consumed. “It said Rogan Knightly is a jackass.”

Rogan’s eyes widen right before the smirk on his face grows. I snort and turn back to my food, liking that Ren feels comfortable enough to stand up for herself against Rogan.

“I think you just took one hundred dollars off your rent,” Rogan says before taking another bite of his salad.

“Is that all it takes? Insult you and get money off rent?” She chuckles. “If I would have known that, I would have started insulting you the minute I signed the lease.”

“It’s a onetime insulting discount. Don’t get carried away.”

“Noted.” She nudges my elbow. “So the restoration committee is coming together this weekend?”

“Yeah,” Rogan cuts in. “You should come help out. You get free scones and coffee, plus you could meet some new people, other than this guy.” Rogan jabs his thumb toward me. “It might help knowing someone other than a Knightly. Jake is cool; he’ll be there.”

I grind my teeth together, seeing what my brother is doing.

“He seemed very nice. And you’re fixing up the picnic tables this time?”

I move my jaw back and forth before answering, trying to ease the tension building up right below my ear. “Yeah. We’ll be hosing everything down, touching up paint, weeding, basic crap like that just to make it more presentable. Jake will be washing his truck.”

“Oh, cool, and you need help?”

“They can always use an extra hand,” Rogan says, butting in once again.

“Then count me in.”

After Rogan leaves to meet with a contractor, I move to sit across from Ren rather than by her side. She tilts her head to the side, sipping from her soda, studying me across the table as I munch on my waffle fries. I always get a large order—I’ll work it off somehow.

“You know, it’s oddly unsettling how much you and your brothers look alike, Reid especially. Those are some strong genes your parents have.”

“Reid is like a mini-me, always has been.”

“Yeah, and Brig has that whole bad-boy vibe.”

I snort. “He’s the complete opposite. Don’t let the tattoos and black pants deter you. The guy is a total softy and a romantic. Always wants to be in a relationship.”

“Is he right now?”

I shake my head. “Can’t seem to hold anyone down.” I don’t mention why; the reason is too unbelievable to say aloud.

“That’s a shame. He seems like a nice guy. What about your other brothers? Are they taken?”

I lift a brow in her direction. “Why, fishing for a date?”

Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of crimson. “No, just . . . curious, I guess.”

“All single.” I pop another fry in my mouth.