“Great, you’ve all met,” Xander said, leaning back in his seat. “Now you guys can leave.”
Tash shook her head and tsked. “Where are your manners, young man?” She turned to Freya. “I apologize on Xan’s behalf. He’s usually much more charming than this.”
She glanced across the table at Xander, who’d crossed his arms over his chest. He’d tilted his head back and was staring at the ceiling, slowly shaking his head.
“You know, this is your fault,” Esme said, nudging him with her elbow.
He heaved a sigh as he met his friend’s gaze. “And why is that?”
She flashed an innocent smile that Freya was sure was anything but. “Tash and I were just going to stop to say hi and then go about our way. But no. You had to immediately go all grumpy and irritated, so naturally, we have to stay longer now.”
“Naturally,” Tash chimed in with a bright smile.
Freya chuckled. Oh yeah. These two had to be close friends of Xander’s.
“Esme, I have to ask,” Freya said, curiosity picking at her brain, “have we met before?” She was certain they had. After all, the other woman was stunning and not exactly forgettable.
Esme’s smile widened as she nodded. “I don’t think we’ve formally met, but I’ve seen you in passing. I’m a spa regular. I see Sergio every other Saturday.”
“Ah! That’s why you look so familiar.” Freya turned to Tash. “I’m a hairstylist at the Pacific View Resort’s spa.”
“Oh, I know,” Tash said with a nod. Before Freya could register the woman’s cryptic reply, Tash asked, “How are thingsgoing over there? It must have been a crazy week with the shooting and everything.”
“It’s been hectic for sure. We reopened the salon this morning, and we’re down a stylist, but it actually went a lot smoother than I expected.” Freya took a sip of her drink and nodded at Xander. “This one was my last client of the day.”
“That’s what’s different!” Esme said, slapping him on the shoulder. “I couldn’t figure out why you looked different.” She grabbed his chin and yanked his face to the left and the right.
He scowled at Esme, and Freya bit back a chuckle.
“Looking sharp, bud,” Tash said, waggling her eyebrows. “Very Viking-esque.”
Freya gave up the half-hearted fight and laughed. “See! I told you modern Viking is a thing.”
“My apologies for doubting you.” He winked at her.
Her stomach did that flipping thing again. She cleared her throat and turned to the women. “But thank goodness he was my last client, because when he walked me out to my car, we discovered someone had smashed in my windshield.”
Before she’d finished speaking, both women straightened, their expressions going from relaxed to alert. It was as if the clouds had parted, and she knewexactlyhow these women were connected to Xander.
“Ah,that’show you two know Xander. You all work together, don’t you?” Esme’s brow arched, and Freya clarified, “You both went from laid-back to attentive and all alpha protector like that.” She snapped her fingers and then nodded at Xander. “Just like him.”
“Guilty as charged,” Esme said, taking a sip of her wine.
Tash pointed her wineglass at Xander. “We’ve been teammates for what? Six years now?”
“Seven and a half.” He shrugged and flashed Freya that lopsided smirk that was quickly becoming her favorite. “But, hey, who’s counting.”
Tash grinned and flipped him off, and Xander puckered his lips at her.
Freya laughed. They were just like her and her brothers.
Conversation halted when their waiter approached with a plate in each hand. “I have dinner, folks. The steak and mushroom flatbread for you, ma’am, and the grilled mahi for you, sir.” He placed their plates in front of them. “Can I get you anything else?”
She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
He turned to Esme and Tash and nodded to their near-empty wineglasses. “Ladies, would you like a top-off?”
“I’m good, thanks,” Tash replied.
