“Quinlan’s invited me out for girls’ night Friday night.”
“Quinlan McKellar?” he said in surprise.
“Um, sure? I knew her when she was with Michael. But we reconnected at the benefit dinner and she said she’d invite me out next girls’ night. I know Alamo’s wife will be there, along with a few of the others from your club and I don’t think they know we’re… you know.”
He rolled off me and onto his back. “No, they don’t.”
“So, before I say yes, I want to make sure it’s not a conflict for you.”
“You do whatever you want to do, Lyric,” he said, sliding off the bed. “I don’t really give a fuck.”
“Whoa,” I snapped, sitting up. “Where did that come from?”
“I don’t like people knowin’ my business.”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m aware.”
“Especially not my brothers’ women.”
“Lincoln, I wasn’t planning on telling them about our arrangement. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to make you uncomfortable.” I slid off the mattress. “Somewhere along the way, you’ve gotten the impression that it’s okay to speak to me that way. It’s not. If you’re not willing to have an adult conversation with me, I’d like you to leave.”
He snagged his clothes off the floor. “Fine.”
He dressed quickly and headed for the door.
“Thanks for changing my lightbulbs,” I said quietly.
He paused, lowered his head, then moved right on out my bedroom door and didn’t look back. Jebus, I thought women were moody.
* * *
Friday night arrived and I got dressed with both nervous excitement and trepidation. I hadn’t had one text from Doom all week, and there was no way in hell I was going to text him. He was obviously pissed about something, but I had no idea what. So much for not ghosting me.
Wes had called on Tuesday to schedule another date for Saturday, so I had to make sure I didn’t push my limit tonight with alcohol. The last thing I needed was a hangover while I was out with Wes.
I decided to wear the same dress I’d worn on my date with Wes last time to girls’ night. It was super comfortable and it hid my boot, plus, I felt cute in it.
Quin offered to pick me up, so I was excited to have the freedom to drink a little more than I might normally on a night out.
Quin arrived right as I secured my watch and I opened the door and grinned. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she said, hugging me. “You look gorgeous.”
“So do you.” She wore dark skinny jeans and black booties with an off the shoulder blouse that fit snugly around her trim waist. Her long, dark hair was pulled up at the sides and she’d kept her makeup light. “Come in for a second. I’m just throwing a few things in my purse.”
“I remember when this place was on the market,” she said, closing the door behind her. “You’ve done wonders with it.”
My home was less than a block from Forsyth Park, in the historic district, and I loved it. It had been built in 1860 and had been a wreck, but I’d spent two years restoring it to its current beauty and it was now worth four times what I paid for it fifteen years ago. It didn’t really matter, I can’t imagine ever selling it.
“Thank you. It’s absolutely my dream house.”
“I can see why.”
“Okay, I’m ready,” I said, grabbing my bag.
“Let’s go.” She grinned. “The girls are dying to meet you.”
“Let me guess. Because I’m Melody Morgan’s sister?”
