I cut the sandwich in half and slide it across the counter to my dad.

“You going to tell me why you’re all dolled up now?”

“I’m not all dolled up,” I say defensively, looking down at myself. I’m in yoga pants and a loose-fitting shirt and I’m barefoot.

My dad raises an eyebrow at me. “Your hair and face.”

“Oh.”

My dad didn’t get here until late afternoon. I wanted to keep myself busy, so I took a long bath, then spent extra time on my hair, nails, and makeup. I knew I was going to be cutting it close between my dad being here and the plans I made for tonight. I’ve already picked out an outfit and shoes to wear so I can get dressed quickly when my dad leaves. Apparently I’m not as clever as I thought. I’m not even trying to get dressed up for my date, more like keeping myself busy so I’ll stop wondering about the two men next door.

“I might have a date.” I shrug and now both his eyebrows rise. “I mean, it’s kind of a date. I don’t…it’s nothing special.” I throw my hands up in the air.

Dad smiles at me. “With?”

I pick my phone up off the kitchen counter and pull up the guy’s profile to show him. My dad scans it before handing my phone back to me. “He’s a doctor.”

I nod.

“I don’t like him.”

I roll my eyes. “How can you not like him? You haven't met him. Aren’t dads supposed to want their daughters to date doctors?”

“A doctor will work too much,” he complains.

“You don’t know that.” I grab a grape from the bowl I put out to go with the sandwich I made my dad. “We’re both into health. The human body,” I add, trying to come up with something. I don’t even know why I’m bothering. It doesn't really matter because I'm not excited about the date.

“I’m sure he’s into the human body,” my dad says, rolling his eyes, and my cheeks heats.

I throw a grape at him and he laughs.

“Dad! I’ve got to put myself out there. I need to date and meet people.”

“You’ll meet people when you come to work. That’s how most people make friends.”

“I want more than friends, Dad, and I don’t know if it’s wise to date someone I work with.” I can’t stop myself from glancing at my front door. My mind goes straight to Dean and Wes.

“Yeah, maybe that’s not a great idea.” I glance back to my dad and I see his eyes are now on the door. “I didn't want to bring this up while we were going over work, but since we’re done with all that I’m slipping into dad mode.”

“Uh oh,” I mumble and smile at him.

He takes a bite of his sandwich and I wonder where this is going. “I hear you went out last night with the team. That Dean and Wes were there.”

“Most of the team was there,” I try to play it off.

“Yeah, but Dean and Wes were there.”

“So?”

“They don’t do the party scene.”

“Oh.” I pick up the bowl of grapes and carry it over to the fridge and put it away. I’m not sure what to say to that, but my stomach feels warm. They were telling the truth about what they like to do. They are low-key and I like that.

“Yeah. Oh. Something had to have gotten them to come out and I think I know what that something is.”

I turn to face my dad and his eyes are locked on me.

“Me?” I ask. I want to get it out there and not beat around the bush.

My dad sets his sandwich down. “Yeah, you.” He lets out a deep breath.

“Does that bother you?” I ask. I don’t like the idea of my dad not liking something I’m doing.

“I’m not sure what I think about it.”

“Me either,” I admit.

I don’t tell him that they make me feel things I’ve never felt before. When I found out those girls were their sisters, I never felt such relief in my life. That’s when I really knew I was in trouble.

These men could own me and they act like they want to. I don’t know how to handle one man, let alone two. To top it off, they aren’t normal men. They are freaking giants who are pumped full of testosterone.

I sigh. “Well, nothing’s happened and who knows if anything will. Let’s not worry about something that might not take place.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince my dad or me.

“They went out to the club for you. They were letting the team know you’re off limits.”

I bite my lip, unsure how to take that. I’m conflicted—should I be mad that these two are getting jealous over me, or should I be a little happy about it?

“So you know about them? About how they—”

My dad holds his hand up to halt me. “I put it together between yesterday and today.” The room falls silent for a moment, and I could die of embarrassment. Mother and I never talked about sex. She’d try to get me to date people she wanted to set me up with, but we never talked about other things that went along with dating. “You’re an adult, Melly. But as your dad I don’t want you to be hurt or taken advantage of.”

“You think they’d do that?” I ask. I want his opinion on this.

“Hell if I know. They seem like good boys.” I want to laugh that my dad keeps calling them boys. “But I don’t think you’ve dated much.” I nod in agreement. “Then maybe this date tonight might be good for you. See what’s out there. There’s no rush.”

After last night I’m not sure Wes and Dean would agree with that. And after what my dad said I know for sure he didn’t ask them to watch out for me last night at the club. I’d pretty much pieced that together over breakfast, but it’s good to know it was their own doing. They’re territorial.

They would probably be pissed if they knew I have a date tonight.

“Go on the date, Melly.” My dad stands from his chair. “Make sure you meet him wherever you’re going; don’t ask him to come here. Go somewhere busy, and then come home alone.”

I fight my eyeroll. Instead I walk over and hug my dad. I love how he’s always on my team. He’s so different from my mother.

“I’ll get out of here so you can finish getting ready.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I walk him to the door and open it for him.

When I do, I stare at Wes and Dean’s door for a moment. I debate once again canceling my plans for drinks. I wonder if they’re inside lounging on their sofa and watching Netflix. That sounds like so much more fun than having an awkward first date.

I wave goodbye to my dad and close the door. Glancing over at the clock, I see I’m supposed to meet Mason in twenty minutes.

“Crap.” I rush to my bedroom to get ready. It’s way too late to cancel and it’s only drinks. I’ll have one and then leave. Making small talk should be easy enough.

Stripping off my clothes, I grab the rose-pink dress I laid out, then slip my feet into a pair of flats. I grab my purse from the sofa, snatch my phone from the counter, and head out. When I get to the front of the building, I hail the first taxi I see and hop in. The place isn’t far, but I don’t know my way around, so walking isn’t an option.

The taxi pulls up outside of a casino. I hop out and wander inside. I go over to a map and try to find the bar I’m looking for. This place is huge. As I stand there, I feel someone watching me and I glance back over my shoulder.

A big figure catches my eye. Wes. He’s not looking at me but somewhere off to the left and he’s shaking his head. Did he follow me?

No, there’s no way. He’s not even looking my way. I try to see what he’s staring at and why he’s shaking his head. Then I see Dean pop out from behind a sign. Clearly Dean is hiding from something, and Wes wants no part of it.

I turn back around and study the map to find where I’m going. I give a small glance over my shoulder one more time to see Dean grabbing Wes, trying to pull him behind the sign with him. I have to fight a smile.

I pretend not to notice as I make my way through the casino. I stop every now and then to pretend to look at something, and every time I spot them not too far behind me. Dean’s trying to hide and Wes shakes his head like Dean is being ridiculous.

I should be irritated, but all I can think is how adorable this is. They’re both impossibly large. How could they not stand out in a crowd?

When I get to the bar, I glance around.

“Miss Green?” the hostess asks. She’s in a short dress that looks like what you might wear to a club. I glance around, wondering if I’m underdressed, but it doesn’t look like it compared to the atmosphere. I remind myself this is Vegas and most of the women dress like this daily.

“Yes,” I say, giving her a smile.

“Right this way.” I follow her and spot Mason as we get closer to the table.

He looks just like his profile picture. He stands and I think he’s going to hug me, so I hold out my hand. He smiles, taking it and bringing it to his mouth. He places a kiss on it and an uneasy feeling rumbles in my stomach. The kiss on my hand feels wrong. It’s nothing like when Wes’s and Dean’s lips where on me.

I hear something break behind me but don’t turn to look. I have a feeling I know who broke it. Or if I had a guess, that would give me a fifty-fifty shot of getting it right.

“Enjoy your evening,” the hostess says and rushes off, I’m guessing, to clean up whatever mess was just made.

“You’re even more stunning in person, Amelia.” Mason pulls my chair out for me and I sit down. His hand runs along my back, making me jump at the unwanted touch.

“Thank you,” I manage to say.

A waitress comes over and takes our drink orders. We fall into polite talk about where we went to college. I glance over my shoulder as Mason rattles on and on about himself. I can already tell he likes to talk about himself. I had a feeling he might be that way from his profile and some of the long-winded messages he sent me. He probably won’t even notice I’m not paying attention to what he’s saying.

My eyes narrow on Wes and Dean, who are half hiding behind menus as the pretty hostess flirts with them. I grit my teeth, hating it. I know I don’t have a claim on them, and it’s not like I have room to be upset. I’m on a freaking date, but I can’t help myself. The idea of other women giving them attention makes me want to storm over there and smack all of them.

Jealousy flows through me. Two can play this game, I think as I turn back to Mason.