I calmly lean back against my chair. “It’s fine.”
Oliver points at me. “See, Win’s okay with it. The group of us have known each other our whole lives. And Winter’s here for six months—I think she and Hunt should hang out. We all know you two ended on a sour note, but that was years ago.”
Peyton smothers a laugh. Obviously, Blaire didn’t tell her husband what she and Peyton and I chatted about yesterday.
And I don’t tell the table the truth—I’ve not only already seen Hunter Storm but I’m now living with him. I figure I’ll wait until he arrives, and we can surprise them together.
“He said he’s coming here?” I ask Oliver.
He nods. “On his way.”
Oliver and Scott start chatting about the Fire and how Oliver thinks they have a great chance to win it all this year.
“Of course, not if his brothers have something to say about it out in Montana.” Oliver chuckles. “Plus, Declan Wild for the Kings is a fucking stud.”
“He’s been a star for years,” Peyton says.
“I know, but this season he’s really on a roll,” Oliver says. “Along with Jared and Max, the Kings could present a real challenge for the title.”
“We can handle them.” Hunter’s deep voice comes from directly behind me.
His hand lightly touches my shoulder and sends shivers down my spine.
Four heads turn to look at me.
I will my pounding heart to relax, and I put on what I hope looks like a casual smile as Hunter grabs a chair and pushes it in between me and Oliver.
His arm is around me before I can speak. “Hey, Princess.”
I turn to face him. His green eyes are focused on me like nobody else is at the table. I forgot how good it felt to be noticed like this. Because nobody’s ever noticed me—the real me—the way Hunter Storm has.
“Hi, Hunt.”
I lean in and kiss his cheek. He’s not expecting that, and honestly, neither was I. I just can’t help myself around him—it’s like his body’s begging for me to touch him.
The scent of his aftershave and the feel of his skin against my lips overwhelm me. I try to pull back quickly, but his hand goes around my neck, and before I know it, he’s kissing me back. Just on the cheek, but butterflies dance in my stomach.
We let go of each other then and turn back to the table like nothing just happened.
Everyone’s staring at us, and Ashley’s eyes are saucer-wide. “What—I mean, you two haven’t seen each other in years, and you haven’t exactly wanted to stay in contact. So how did this—kissing and touching—happen?”
Hunter quirks an eyebrow. “I see your nosiness hasn’t ebbed over the years, Ash.”
I elbow him in the ribs. “Don’t be rude. Hunter and I ran into each other yesterday.”
Ashley gasps. “Was it a planned meeting or spontaneous?”
Peyton giggles next to me. “How are you going to field this question?” she murmurs so only I can hear.
Oliver furrows his brow at Hunter. “You didn’t say a word in your text. Not even a whisper.”
“I didn’t realize Winter and I were supposed to report everything back to y’all,” Hunter says. “Yes, I had a Winter Allen sighting yesterday when she agreed to pet sit Theo.”
“Ohhh,” Ashley says. “Coincidence or planned?”
“Coincidence,” I say. “I applied for the job, and it turned out to be Hunter. Small world.” I put my hand on his arm. “We’re going to be housemates.”
The laughter that breaks out at our table is so loud people look over.
