“You sure about that?” I try to hold back a laugh. “I’m pretty sure that doctor back there was gunning to have a good time withyou.”
“Did you see where he put his hands? Hedidhave a good time withme.”
We share a quietlaugh.
“So have dinner with me.” I shrug as if it were no big deal. “If you’re nice, I’ll take you to amovie.”
“Oh, really? And if I’m naughty?” Her left brow hooks, and my insides explode with heat. It looks like I’m not the only pervert aroundhere.
“If you’re naughty, you get a direct pass to my apartment. I might even build you a fire.” Crap. Did I just say that? I’m pretty sure flirting with someone who’s trusting you in the most delicate state of their life is a shitty thing to do—especially when you put them in that delicatestate.
“Well then”—her fingernails glide down my back, and it feels electric—“I hope you have wood for that fire.” Her eyes widen a moment as if she caught the double entendre a moment too late. “Because I plan on being very, verynaughty.”
Sunday plans on being naughty, and it takes everything in me not to grin like anidiot.
Sunday and I are unnaturally quiet all the way back toBriggs.
* * *
The Black Bearis in full-on romance mode as the crooners they pay to belt out live tunes night after night moan one slow song after another into the mic. I told Sunday I’d take her anywhere, but she insisted that the Black Bear was fine, pointing out the fact everywhere else was booked to the hilt weeks inadvance.
And as my crappy luck would have it, there’s not a single table available in this place either. The usual wall-to-wall bodies only seem to have extrapolated into a throng of flesh everywhere you look. I’m about to pull out my phone and text Sunday plan B when I spot a friendly wave coming from the back. It’s Trixie calling me over, and next to her Rush grins at me as if he’s actually happy to seeme.
My insides grind as I reluctantly head their way to say a quickhello.
“What’s up?” Rush slaps me five. “You look dressed to kill. Who’s the lucky lady? Or are you taking them on a rotation tonight?” He hacks out a laugh, but Trixie is downright scowling at me. She knows exactly how much time I’ve been logging with her BFF. Trixie is as sharp as a butcher knife. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if she had everything figured out, right down to that baby’s DNA. Not that she knows there is a baby. At least according to Sunday. “Don’t just stand there. Take a seat.” He kicks out the chair across from him, and I wince at it. I’m pretty sure this isn’t how Sunday or I envisioned this night going, romantic ornot.
“Thanks, man, but I don’t want to put a damper on your goodtime.”
Rush barks out another laugh. “Trix and I were just going to have a quick bite and take off for my place. Trust me, sweetheart, you’re not putting a damper on our goodtime.”
Subtlety has never been Rush Knight’s strong suit, but I can’t seem to take him up on his offer. I’d rather eat takeout in front of that fire I plan on makingtonight.
“Dude”—Rush points hard into the seat in front of me—“this place is packed. Grab a burger with us. We really don’tcare.”
“That’s right.” Trixie’s brows hike up, and I can’t help but note her tone is drenched in sarcasm. “Unless you’ve got a hot date with a beautiful girl. Let me guess, tall, blonde, and has her gag reflex onoverdrive?”
Crap. “Nope. It’s just me.” I don’t know why I spouted the lie, but it’s partially true. Sunday and I aren’t technically dating. It’s simply dinner with friends—like the one I’m about to experience with them. I fall into the seat and don’t bother perusing the menu. I’ve eaten at the Black Baer enough to have itmemorized.
Rush shakes his head at me. “I should set you up. I’ve got at least ten chicks that still text me as if Trixie wasn’t ready to knock their lightsout.”
A vanilla breeze hits the table, and I glance up to find Sunday standing there, stunning as ever with her hair long and full of volume, her makeup done up to the point I’m moved to worship, and she’s wearing a soft pink sweater that begs for me to touchit.
“You look beautiful.” I swallow hard and, holy shit, did I just spout that off in front of herbrother?
Her eyes enlarge for a moment with panic. “Thanks.” She shoots Trixie a look that sayskeep your mouth shut, and I second thatmotion.
Rush grunts, “Why are you looking like that, anyway? Is there some dude here you’re trying to impress? Because if there is, I’m going to kill him. Nobody sees you looking this good.” He points hard to the seat next to me. “Eat with us, and I’ll walk you to your dormafter.”
“Please.” She rolls her eyes as she takes a seat, her perfume wrapping itself around me like a vanilla-laced curtain. “I was hoping to find Serena or Harley.” She shrugs my way. “But I guess you guys will have to do.” She gives a sly wink my way, and Trixie clears her throat. “So, what did I interrupt?” She bounces in her seat, and I can’t help but glance down at the oversized sweater she’s wearing and a warmth spreads through me at the thought of knowing our baby is just inches away. It feels good being nearSunday.
Trixie leans in with a fire in her eyes, never a good thing. “Rush here was just looking to set Seth up with the bimbos that continue to stalk him.” She bares her teeth at Sunday in a malicious grin. It’s clear she’s enjoying this. “You know anyone who might want to date a tall, dark, and handsome—nice, upstanding, generous, have I mentioned basketball star?” She pierces Sunday with a hard look, and all of the hope I have for Sunday and me connecting on that level skyrockets as I await heranswer.
“Whoa”—Rush calls time with his hands—“I’m sitting right here, remember? Seth’s not that great.” He makes a face my way. “All right. You are, but set your sights on anyone but my girl.” He huffs a dull laugh. “Can you believe I actually used to think you were into Trix? I could never figure out why you were always hanging off her and Sunday. I mean, what else could it have meant? But Trix had it right. You’re everything she said and more. The girls are going to eat youalive.”
I cringe at thevisual.
“I bet they will.” Sunday shakes her head as if that list were completely fabricated and the furthest thing from the truth. “Make sure you find the most annoying of the bunch. I hear Seth has an appreciation for needy, whiny women. He’s got a real Superman Syndrome, this one.” She tosses a quick wink my way, and I can’t help but stifle alaugh.
