Page 22 of Fireworks with Three Mountain Men

I nodded. “Once. A long time ago.”

“Why didn’t it work out? Jealousy?”

“God, no. We’re never jealous of each other. Defeats the whole point.”

“I see. So what was the reason?”

I chuckled. “You’re such a reporter.”

“I’m just trying to understand—”

The loud creak of the gym’s front doors announced someone’s arrival.

Julia and I both turned to look. Red and Dylan had arrived to join me in our daily training. They stared at the two of us, a little stunned while also not surprised in the least.

“Getting in that early morning cardio?” Dylan asked with a playful sarcasm.

Julia clambered down, readjusting her shirt and rubbing a palm to her hot cheeks. “I should, um… I think I have everything I need for today.”

A cold chill rushed through me.

Shit. Ididfuck this up.

“Julia, wait—”

“It’s fine, I promise,” she mumbled quickly. “I have to check in with my editor, anyway. I’ll see you guys later, alright?”

And with that, she was gone like the wind.