“What did he call it?” I ask aloud. “A multi-night stand? That’s not a bad idea. It’s really no different than dating a guy for a few weeks just to get some action even though you know it’s not going to go anywhere.”
I mull that over. The longer it marinates in my head, the more it makes sense.
And the more I like it.
I grab my phone and call Sienna. She answers on the second ring.
“You’ve called me more since you’ve been out of town than you’ve called me since I’ve known you,” she says with a laugh.
“I’ve called you twice.”
“Exactly.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “How are things back there?”
“Good,” she says sweetly. “Walker and Peck were out late last night working on a tractor in a field somewhere. They’re just dolls this morning, if you get what I’m saying.”
“Oh, I know how they can be.”
“Right. And then they went by Nana’s this morning for breakfast, and guess what they found?”
“I have no idea.”
“A man,” she squeals. “And apparently he’d stayed there all night last night. Your cousin kind of lost his mind a little bit, and Walker just got … well, grumpier. They said seeing him at Sunday dinner was one thing, but this was another. I’m totally loving it, though!”
“Wow,” I say, trying to wrap my mind around that tidbit of information. “Good for her. I’m not sure I’m ready for my grandmother to have sleepovers, but I’m sure I’m dealing with that better than my brothers and Peck.”
“I’m so happy for her. She’s been glowing lately. She deserves to be happy.”
“Absolutely.”
I chew on the edge of my fingernail as I rule out the possibility of staying at Nana’s. Listening to Sienna and Walker going at it is one thing. Potentially hearing Nana and a guy getting down is a whole other world I’m not ready to process.
That leaves two options—Holt’s or a hotel in Chicago.
“Hey, Sienna. I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Sure. Shoot.”
“How well do you actually know Holt Mason?”
Her giggle is ridiculous. I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“I know him pretty well. We grew up around their family. I know his youngest brother, Boone, the best. He’s closer to my age. But all the Masons are really familiar to me.” She smacks her lips together. “May I ask why you’re inquiring about this specific tall, dark, and handsome man?”
I roll my eyes again—this time, at myself. The excitement in her voice has worked its way through the phone and into my veins. I fidget as I try to put together a proper response.
“We had lunch today,” I say. “I’m just curious.”
“Oooh.”
“Sienna.”
She sighs. “Let me love this, Blaire. Please? I’m supposed to love this.”
“There’s nothing to love.”
“But there is. You don’t know how this works, obviously.” She sighs again for effect. “See—when you call a girlfriend and bring up a hot guy, that means you’re interested or there’s a story there. It’s your way of bringing the item to the table. So, my job, as your girlfriend, is to be excited for you. Or to be ready to throttle him, but I don’t think that’s the direction this conversation is going to go. Is it?”
