Page 57 of This Broken Heart

Reese turns to look up at him. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Bake Off fan.”

He pretends to look offended. “That’s sexist, Reese.”

“How’s that beer coming?” Josh calls from the living room.

Skyler straightens, grinning at me. “His lordship calls.”

Reese trails behind him.

It’s like there’s a rotating door on the kitchen entry. As soon as they leave, Dusty pushes his way back in. He hops up on the counter, watching me cover my baking pan. “I’m very excited about this.”

“The game?”

He grins. “The cinnamon rolls.”

I lean on the counter opposite him. “What, do you guys never get real food?”

“Four bachelors? No.”

“None of your moms like to cook?”

“Ah.” He shrugs, looking uncomfortable for the first time. “My mom wasn’t much of a cook, but my little sister’s been experimenting lately.”

It doesn’t escape my notice that he talks about his mom in past tense. I decide not to push him on it. “Your Home Ec teacher should be ashamed.”

He grins. “Our Home Ec teacher had her hands full with us.”

“Reese mentioned you boys were a bit wild.”

“She tends to exaggerate.”

I bite my lip. “Actually, I think she was downplaying things. Trace was in the truck at the time.”

“Ah.”

“Did you all go to high school at the same time?”

He glances towards the living room, but his gaze is distant. He looks back at me, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “All of us except Chuck.”

“Does she like being called Chuck?”

He grins mischievously. “Hates it.”

“Got it. Were all of you boys in the same grade?”

“Kindergarten on.”

“You’ve been friends a long time.”

He nods. “We lucked out, landing in the same grade. I’m sure our teachers would disagree.”

“And Reese?”

“She was a junior when we were seniors. Parker was a freshman.”

“What year did you all graduate?”

He tells me, and I do the math. “I was a sophomore when you were a senior.”