“Don’t you?” She stares back at me. “I get it. Jared’s a lot to handle. And I know you and I are just getting to know each other, but I have a feeling you’re definitely strong enough. And maybe you need a man who stands tall on his own. Even though it’s scary.”
I swallow. “That’s always been my weakness. Which is why I make sure to stay single.”
Haley laughs. “I’m the same. I seem to only be attracted to the exact kind of men who would turn my world upside down. And I love my career and my calm, peaceful life. So I choose not to rock the boat. But you? You look like you need to be rocked. No pun intended.”
“That may be,” I say. “But you heard Jared’s phone ping. He’s not a one-woman man. And that’s a line I won’t cross.”
CHAPTERTEN
“You must be tired, Ashley,” Mia says when Haley and I return to the booth. “It’s so much later in New Orleans.”
“I am,” I admit. “I may call it a night.”
“I’ll take you home.” Jared stands up.
We say our goodbyes, and Max leaves with us.
Once the three of us reach Jared’s truck in the back parking lot, Max insists on sitting in the back.
“I’m getting out before you,” he says as he hops in. “My place isn’t too far from here.”
Jared opens the passenger door for me and closes it softly after I’m safely inside. I put on my seat belt and spend the next ten minutes laughing as the guys recant stories from our past, like when Jared stole Max’s clothes from his locker and Max chased his brother across the school grounds completely naked.
Jared and Max together are fun. And being with two guys from home is comforting when I just moved so far away.
We stop so Max can pick up take-out from a Thai restaurant for him and Emerson and then continue toward their condo.
“How is Emerson?” I ask Max as Jared pulls into an underground parking garage beneath a beautiful high-rise.
“She’s amazing.”
I can hear the love in his voice, and I smile.
“I’m happy for you,” I tell him. “You two had a good time in Yellowstone this summer?”
“The best. It’s good to be back in Missoula, though. This feels like home to us.” He pats my shoulder. “Hopefully you’ll find love here too, Ash.”
I startle.
But Jared pulls the car to a stop in front of an elevator bank, and Max jumps out.
“See you tomorrow, J. Hope to see you soon, Ashley.” He waves and shuts his door behind him.
I watch him walk toward the elevator bank and disappear inside.
“He seems like he’s doing well.” I turn to Jared, who’s watching me. “This is the happiest I’ve seen him.”
“I know.” Jared chuckles. “Who could have predicted my two younger brothers would be in relationships and Liam and I would be single as hell?”
“Twoyounger brothers? I get that Hunter is the baby of the family. But Max and you are twins!”
“He was born fifteen minutes after me. He’s younger.”
I laugh.
“Competitive much?”
“Always.”
