“I like your thinking.” Hadley clinks her glass with Sarah’s. “And I love your dress. Red is so your color.”
“You all look beautiful, and I’ll be the envy of every man when we arrive.”
“I really wish Tate wasn’t coming,” Sarah groans, knocking back more champagne.
“Why?” Hadley leans forward, scenting a story, and I’m curious too.
“I fucked him last year,” she says, just casually putting it out there like she’s discussing the weather.
It’s a miracle I don’t drown us all in champagne as I almost choke on my drink.
“And I haven’t seen him since. I hope it won’t be awkward.”
“I’m going to kill him.” I grind my teeth to the molars before leveling a glare at my sister. “You too. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Maybe because it’s none of your business?” It’s no surprise Esther rushes to her sister’s defense though Sarah doesn’t need the help.
“A lady never kisses and tells, and I’m glad Tate was a gentleman about it. He has gone up in my estimation.”
“Why? Was the sex bad?” Hadley asks, eyeballing Sarah.
“On the contrary, it was—”
“I think that’s enough tormenting your brother.” Stevie cuts across their conversation when she notices the horrified look on my face.
“You can tell me in private,” Hadley replies, and Sarah nods.
So much for not kissing and telling.
“Please refrain from starting anything with Tate,” Hadley requests, turning to look at me. “This is Stevie’s special night and I want nothing ruining it.”
“I won’t start anything,” I agree. “At least not tonight.”
Sarah rolls her eyes, muttering something under her breath.
I love Tate like a brother, but he’s a manwhore, and I really wish he hadn’t gone near my sister. She’s a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. I don’t have any right to complain, but I’m perfectly entitled to not like it. I plan on making that point to my buddy when I find an opportunity tonight. I really hope his sudden availability to attend Stevie’s birthday has nothing to do with my sister, but I suspect it might.
ChapterFifty-Eight
Beck
After we’re all seated at our table, introductions are made. Law brought his wife, Jenny, and Hadley’s boyfriend, Mike, is here, and Stevie invited Hudson. We’re a lively bunch and conversation flows freely during the sumptuous dinner. I intercept a few heated looks exchanged between Sarah and Tate I’m not happy about, but like I said, I can’t interfere. It’s her life. I just hope she knows what she’s getting into if she pursues anything with my stockbroker buddy.
Stevie sits in between me and Hudson, and I catch him checking me out from time to time. I suppose it’s natural to be suspicious, but he doesn’t send me any outwardly hostile looks. Law and Jenny are on my other side, and I’m thrilled when Jenny and Stevie hit it off, engaging in girly chatter about all kinds of shit.
The servers lower the lights before carrying out a cake and encouraging the whole restaurant to sing happy birthday to the birthday girl. The biggest smile is on Stevie’s face as she blows out the candles to raucous applause. I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Happy birthday, Stevie.”
“Thank you so much for all this,” she says, her eyes bright.
“I can’t claim much credit. Hadley organized most of it.”
“You have a real problem accepting praise.” She tweaks my nose. “You organized the limo and the cake, and she told me you paid for our meal. That’s really generous, Beck. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You know I’d do anything for you.”
A pretty blush steals over her cheeks. We are straining toward one another with our heads bent together, and I didn’t even notice it happening. “I like seeing you happy.” At this proximity, her emerald eyes are even more stunning. “And I meant what I said in the car. You look exquisite. Most beautiful woman in the room by a mile.” I peer deep into her eyes, unable to resist the urge to touch her. My fingers sweep briefly across her cheek as my eyes lower to her mouth.
Law loudly clears his throat, drilling me with a sharp look when I glance his way.
