Mercedes shrugged casually and finished her coffee. “Who knows why your brother does anything? I stopped trying to figure him out years ago.”
“Can you do me a favor?” At her friend’s nod, Carli continued. “Please, don’t say anything about Blake being here this morning and staying over last night to Evan. He’ll completely freak out. The overprotective jerk.”
After she agreed, Mercedes rinsed out her cup and left the room. If she and Blake continued getting as close as they’d been recently, she supposed she’d have to let her family know. For now, she was playing it close to the vest. Doubt crows still circled overhead for some reason. No sense advertising when the end result might not ever materialize.
Chapter twenty
Four hours was a long time to be in a car. Luckily, they had cookies. Blake had shown up at her house around eleven and presented her with a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints.
“These cute little Girl Scouts were selling them outside the market this week. I couldn’t resist.”
“Are these for us to share on the ride, or do I get to keep them all?” Carli glanced at him sideways. Thin Mints were her favorite. She could wolf down a whole sleeve by herself.
Blake hung his head. “Well, if you want to eat them all, you’re welcome to.”
“Thank you,” she chirped, kissing him on the cheek. His frown made her laugh, so she handed him her travel bag and slipped into her coat. “Maybe I’ll take them in case we get hungry on the ride.”
“You said we?” One eyebrow rose.
“I did.” She smirked, following him to the luxury vehicle.
Along the way he asked a few questions, ones that required long stories and answers. He seemed to understand that conversations inside a car were tricky. To be safe, she’d brought several sets of batteries plus her charger with her. Being in a new place with a crowd of people she didn’t know was always a challenge.
They were staying at a hotel across the street from the inn that the wedding was at, and while they were checking in, a sound erupted nearby. A small group of people were chattering and waving at them. Or, more precisely, at Blake.
He took the key card from the front desk clerk and greeted his friends. Carli kept her eyes on his lips to make sure she caught everything.
“John, Bill, Andy, how the heck are you?” He shook hands and clapped the backs of the men.
Carli missed some of the answers, but there appeared to be lots of laughing. Blake took her hand and pulled her toward him.
“This is Carli Jameson. Carli, Bill Woeffle and his wife, Melinda.”
A stockier man with sandy blond hair turned to the tiny woman at his side, and they nodded at her.
“This is John Tammoni. Did you manage to find a date, John?”
The dark haired, olive-toned one scoffed. “Are you kidding me? I had to fight them off. Here she is. Had to freshen up in the ladies’ room. Sorcha, this is Blake Wentworth and his date, Carli.” The woman was stunning with bright red hair and legs the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, though she seemed intimidated by her date.
They all exchanged greetings, then the tall blond gestured for the trim, immaculately dressed man to step forward. “Nice to meet you. I’m Andy Steadman. This is my partner, Cashman Peters. We just got engaged. Going to tie our own knot this summer.”
“Congratulations,” Carli said, and more back slapping and chuckling occurred.
“These guys were all in my undergraduate dorm our freshman year at Colgate. The stupid things we did together.”
“Let’s get some drinks,” Bill suggested, “and we’ll tell you all about ‘em.”
Blake held up his key card. “We’ll join you once we get everything in our room. See you in the bar in a few minutes.”
John burst out laughing. “Is that all it takes you, Wentworth? I’d think you had better stamina than that. If you want a real man, Carli, come see me.” He roared again, apparently entertained by his own joke.
Blake didn’t seem amused, if the tight lines of his mouth were anything to go by. He guided her to the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. As soon as they started going up, he faced her.
“I’m sorry about John. He has some racy humor. Try not to take it seriously.”
Tipping her face up, she kissed his cheek. “I’ve got you to protect me, right? And if it gets too bad, I’ll simply take off my CIs, so I can’t hear him.”
“You’re amazing. I’m so glad you came with me this weekend.”
