Chapter 27

Dylan

“I’ll do it.”

“Do what?” King asks, raising one eyebrow.

Simon gives me a blank stare, and Krista perks up.

What a crowd I have to wow.

“Um...put myself out there on the frontline...” I trail off as if I’m stating the obvious.

“You aren’t infantry material.” King shakes his head.

“Fuck you,” I state defensively.

Just in case you’re wondering, we’re back at the university. To catch you up even further, we’re devising our plan.

I’m volunteering to play the role in making sure that someone—or something—isn’t out to get us.

“We’ve already established the fact that someone’s out to get us.” King stares at me.

“Enter...me,” I proclaim proudly.

Krista sighs beside us, and we halt our playful bickering.

“I really want to make sure we get to the bottom of this derailment and sabotage against you.” I cradle her petite hands in mine, cupping them against my chest.

“Oh, come on.” King laughs then points at Krista. “Krista, are you really going to believe that load of crap?”

Krista just chuckles, taking it all in stride. “Don’t fight over me, guys. I care about you all the same. In fact, there are so many amazing qualities from all three of you that I can’t imagine being without all of you. It would definitely feel like something was missing.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Simon raises an invisible glass.

“I could use a real drink.” King rubs his tired eyes.

“I just don’t want to see you sad,” I tell Krista, biting out my bottom lip.

“I’ll be okay as long as you three have my back.” She smiles warmly.

“Absolutely and always.” I wink at her.

I know it sounds fucking crazy—because it is—but I really think I’m beginning to fall for Krista. She’s so smart, sweet, and durable.

When I say durable, I don’t exactly mean that she’s a set of decent storage bins or something. No, that’s not how I’m describing her at all.

What I mean is, she’s tough and resilient. Even through all this stress, she picks up the pieces and dusts off her shoulders...always willing and ready to press forward and try again.

I admire and respect her—a perfect balance to make me see stars and get the lovestruck feeling.

“I just want to do anything I can to make sure you’re successful,” I confess to Krista.

“Stop kissing ass,” Simon scoffs, and I glare at him.

“Come on, guys. Your fighting doesn’t help.” Krista breathes out a sigh in frustration.

“We’re sorry,” King states apologetically and then shoots a look of fire at me and Simon.

Krista stands up and places her palms on the desk. “I have an idea. Why don’t we go back to my place?”

“Yeah...?” I grin, her words suddenly piquing my interest.

Krista rolls her eyes. “Not like that. I can make you guys a home-cooked meal or something.”

“Wow.” King glances between me and Simon. “That sounds awesome.”

“Yeah,” I admit and agree. “What a special gesture.”

“I love to cook, and it would make me feel better to focus on something else for a while.”

Simon nods and stands up. “I agree. A distraction would be great right now, even if it’s just for a little while.”

“Not to mention, we do still have a lot to celebrate,” Krista adds, always one to cast a positive light on a less-than-favorable situation. “We’re still making huge strides with the research, and that’s something to be proud of...for all of us.”

I lean over to give her a high five. “Darling, I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“I don’t even remember the last time I got a home-cooked meal.” King chuckles.

“Me neither,” I say with a nod. “It’s nice to get taken care of every now and then.”

“Well, I’m happy to do it.” Krista beams at the encouraging reaction from us guys.

When we arrive at Krista’s house about fifteen minutes later, I marvel at how quaint and cozy it is. She has warm, soft colors on the walls, and the decorations remind me of the farm life.

“It’s nice that you’re bringing some of your roots back to the big city with you.” I glance around and smile.

“Yeah, it really feels like home here.” Krista sighs with contentment and then walks into the kitchen, ready to get to work on our meal.

“So what’s on the menu?” King pulls out the barstool and takes a seat.

“Do you guys like spaghetti and meatballs?” Krista asks eagerly. “I have a fabulous recipe passed down from previous generations.”

“Sounds amazing to me,” I admit and place my arm around her waist. “Do you need any help?”

“No.” Krista shakes her head adamantly. “Believe me, you guys have done more than enough. It’s time for me to put my special skills to work and serve you for a change.”

“You wear many hats.” King laughs. “You’re a multitasking, multitalented female.”

“Thanks.” Krista laughs. “You guys know how to make a girl blush.”

“So tell us,” I say and prop my elbows up on the counter. “What’s the funniest story you can tell us about life on the farm?”

Krista grabs the hamburger meat and begins forming it into balls.

“Well,” she says, grinning as her mind begins to wander. “Let’s see here...oh yes! I have the perfect story for you all.”

“I’d love to hear it.” Simon comes up behind me and pulls up a chair.

“This one actually involves my dad,” Krista says with nostalgia. “We were outside by the pastures. It had rained the day before. It was spring, and all the flowers were blooming. The soil was really wet from all the rain, and well...” Krista bites her lip and grins.

“What happened?” King asks with eager interest.

“I sort of...slipped and fell face first into a pile of cow manure.”

I slapped my hand on top of the counter and roared with laughter. “You did what?”

“Yep.” Krista nods humbly. “Guilty as charged. I’m a damn klutz.”

“Wow.” King shakes his head and chuckles.

“It took me years to recover from that one. Everyone laughed at me for a while.”

“I’ll bet the cleanup was hard as...shit.” I laugh at my own pun, and everyone else does, too.

“Oh, Dylan, my perfect jokester.” Krista gives me a fond glance, which makes my insides twist with desire.

“What can I say? I aim to please.” I give her a charming grin.

Later, while we’re all sitting at the table with full bellies and happy hearts, I lean back and rub my stomach.

“You’re an incredible cook,” I tell her. “You should be a chef, along with being a researcher.”

That makes Krista laugh. “One thing at a time.”

“Can we come over every night for dinner?” Simon teases. “Seriously, the only noodles I get are cup noodles.”

“Yeah, I concur with that statement,” I say and raise my glass of merlot. “It’s usually frozen dinners for me.”

“You guys are so pitiful,” Krista teases us in a playful and lovable way.

“You don’t have to tell me.” I laugh, then clap my hands together, making a loud smacking sound that sends King jumping in the air.

“Holy fuck!” he yells. “What the hell, dude?”

“Sorry for breaking that ambience.” I laugh. “Let’s play some games, shall we?”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Krista giggles.

With our full stomachs, we wobble to the living room.

“Anyone up for charades?” I ask with a raised brow.

“I actually love that game,” King admits.

“Not again,” Simon groans.

“I’ll play!” Krista puts in her two cents.

“Sorry, Simon.” I give him a mock look of apology. “Three against one, little buddy.”

I gather that I should be on Krista’s team because I came up with the game, to which the other two guys grudgingly agree.

We begin playing, and I realize how much I care not only for Krista but for Simon and King as well. They’ve been my best friends since college, and I can’t imagine them not being in my life.

Later on, after we’ve had our fill of wine, games, food, and fun, we all jump into Krista’s enormous bed, naked and cozy and piling up on top of one another.

“I want to spoon Krista first!” King yells, calling dibs as we all wail in disappointment.

I get to be on the other side of her, so at least I can be thankful for that as I drift off to sleep, listening to the peaceful lull of her breath and the hypnotic way her chest rises and falls with each satisfied sigh.

* * *

The next morning, when we get to the research room, I find myself reminiscing about last night and how we all cuddled together and fell asleep. It had felt so right at the time—so perfect like we should’ve been doing it all along.

Even on the next day, I’m still reeling from the enormous amount of fun I’m having with all of them.

Despite the unconventional arrangement we have between the four of us, it does have its perks. Hey, at least we won’t ever have to worry about being lonely.

Half of Manhattan is single, and here I am with three people I care about.

“It sure was a memorable night yesterday, wasn’t it?” I smile at Krista as we prepare to set up and arrange our workstation for the day.

“It really was.” Krista’s face is glowing, and she radiates love and light, which is something that I admire most about her fiery, amazing spirit.

Everything seems normal here in the research facility in the light of a fresh new day, so I can at least rest with the assurance that nothing else happened overnight. But I can’t help wondering if King’s theory about the sabotage is true.

We just need to be prepared for whatever might happen, under any circumstances. I’m ready for battle. Fuck yeah, bring it on, and I’m up for the challenge—always.

I walk over to the door to turn on the overhead lamps, and some of the other male faculty members just happen to walk past.

“Well, don’t you all look positively ravishing,” Professor Limmons states and cranes his neck to peer in at Krista.

“Things are looking up.” I smile politely, wishing this creep will just move along.

We aren’t some damn animals in the zoo to gawk at.

I don’t mind the teasing from my other guy friends like King and Simon, but everyone else needs to fuck off and mind their own damn business.

I walk back to Krista, who’s giggling in spite of the teasing I’m having to endure.

“What?” I chuckle back because her laughter’s infectious.

“Oh, nothing.” She shakes her head and continues to giggle.

Perhaps those faculty members are right. We are inspired, but are we in love, too? Now I have to laugh that one off, but I’m open to options.