“What?” I say a little too loudly. So loudly that it even stops the Liv and Liam make-out session happening on the other side of the table.
“I’m not about to take one of the other girls and have them thinking we’re on some romantic vacation, and I assumed you didn’t have anyone,” he answers, like he’s only talking to me. But I’m very aware we have the attention of the table.
“That’s a big assumption. One you should probably ask about first.”
“I also figured it’d give us a chance to work on the project while you were off work.” His eyes flick over me like he’s assessing something.
“She needs real time off. She’s had a long fucking month,” Kenz corrects Easton, and I want to thank her for it, but he’s right that it would give us some much-needed time to get it started.
“Well, it would give us some time we don’t normally have, I guess. But I’m not sharing a room with you. I’m not gonna be sleeping on the couch while you bring a parade of snow bunnies in.”
“One, it’s a couple’s resort so you have to share a room with someone. Two, it’s a couple’s resort, so there are no single women.”
“You’re gonna go a fucking week with no pussy?” Liam laughs. “I’m taking bets now on how long it takes him to fuck off to one of the lodges to get some and then disappear for the rest of the trip.”
“I’ll put money down on that,” Waylon chimes in.
“See, he won’t even be in the room very much Wren. So you’ll have it all to yourself,” Liv smiles at me, and I grin back. Hoping that it looks at least a little sincere.
“I can fucking go a week without. Fuck,” Easton gripes.
“Since when?” Waylon’s eyes dance with laughter.
“I have on several occasions when I needed to focus or practice more, thank youveryfucking much.” Easton’s voice has a defensive edge to it.
“Whoa, no need to get your fucking panties in a twist.” Liam raises a brow at him like he’s out of line.
“Then shut the fuck up, yeah?” He flicks them a surly look and glances down at his menu again.
“As long as there’s a pullout couch or an extra bed or something… fine. Just let me know what I owe, okay?” I glance over at him because as much as I don’t like him, I don’t like that he seems genuinely upset at the comments being made about him. I feel weirdly defensive of him, and I have no idea where that’s coming from. I’ll have to put that on the list of things to investigate later.
His eyes meet mine like he’s equally unsure about the way I’m caving suddenly. They search my face for a second, something there I can’t quite read before he nods.
THIRTEEN
Easton
“Want a ride home?”I ask as dinner ends, and Kenz follows Waylon to his truck, and Liv and Liam discuss going to his place.
I figure she’s going to say no because she avoids me like the plague, but I know the walk from here to their house is a long one and it’s freezing outside. She might have Liv drop her off anyway, but I’m going to offer.
“If you don’t mind.” She shrugs.
The easy way she agrees surprises me and my eyes flash to hers. That’s twice tonight that she’s gone along with something I suggested, and I’m not sure what it means. If maybe, just maybe, she’s going a little soft on me.
“You don’t have to though.” She suddenly looks sheepish like she’s said something wrong.
“I want to.” I look away from her as I put my coat on because I don’t want to smile or do anything that’s going to spook her and make her bolt.
We walk to my car in silence, the snow is starting to come down, and it makes the entire world seem whisper-quiet despite the traffic and voices in the distance. I unlock the car when we get there and almost go to open her door before I think better of it. I know she’d hate that sort of chivalry and I’m not about to give her an opening for another argument. Especially since I can tell from the look on her face, she already has things she’d like to say about the car.
“You can change the temp and the seat warmer however you want.” I point to the controls, and she gives me a little smile in return.
“Thanks.”
“No comments, huh?” I give her a teasing glance.
“Nope. Keeping them to myself. Liam and Waylon gave you enough shit tonight.”
