“Wow is right. That’s my dad. All was forgiven.”
Wren squeezed his hand. “I like your dad.”
“I like my dad, too.”
Elias insistedon carrying all her gear—even the drone—to the truck and loading it up. When he came back in to wrangle the pups into their room, he found she’d already taken care of that for him.
As if she’s done it a million times. He was struck again by that feeling ofrightness.
“They didn’t give you any grief?” he asked.
“Oh, they gave me plenty. Talk about sad, mournful eyes.” She imitated them—mouth turned down and big, blinking eyes. “But I told them you’d be back in time for dinner.”
Just me?
His gut actually clenched.
Dude! Get a grip. Don’t be so needy.
“Ready?” he asked, turning away, but not before he caught her sucking in her cheeks.
“Yeah. Sure.” Her voice sounded a little flat. Then she smiled. “Penny told me she’s docking your kibble though for leaving so early.”
Was Wren glad to be leaving, or did she want to stay?Mixed signals. Or was he just reading too much into her reactions?
Get. A. Grip.
He grinned at her joke as he held the front door open. “I’m sure I deserve it.”
They got to the rec center just before ten. He noticed the rest of his brothers’ vehicles in the parking lot when they pulled in. He hated being the last one there, but he loved the reason for it.
Elias pushed open the door to the rec center, holding it for Wren to enter first. The sounds of the rec center hummed in the background—overhead music, a mixture of chatter, distant laughter, and the thud of basketballs hitting the floor.
His brothers stood around the reception desk. Gabe, Bear, Waylon, Ben, and Shane were all there, listening to Stephanie. The receptionist and yoga teacher was usually a force of nature with a sly smile or a quick-witted comment, but she looked uncharacteristically serious. When she glanced over at Elias and Wren, her expression changed to a welcoming smile. Gabe, Shane, and Ben looked curiously at Wren walking beside Elias. Bear nodded to her in greeting. As for Waylon, the man looked shocked.
“Looks like we’re late to the party,” Elias said, injecting some lightness into his voice.
“Looks like you brought a plus-one,” Waylon said. Elias shot him a warning look.
But Wren looked unfazed. “Hey, Elias’ bar-friend! If I’d known you’d be here, I would’ve brought a beer and a Pine-Sol chaser.”
Elias snorted as Waylon’s mouth dropped open. No one—absolutely no one—ever left that smartass speechless.
Stephanie was the first to laugh, breaking the group’s shock-induced silence. “She’s got your number, Waylon. When did you share a beer? Peh-tooie!”
“I couldn’t get past smelling it in the pitcher,” Wren said, then added, “Over at Cocktails and Chicken Strips.” She gave Waylon a huge smile and stuck out her hand. “I’m kidding. It was good beer, just way too fancy for this simple PBR girl. Thanks for giving me your bar seat though, so I could talk to this guy.” She bumped her shoulder against Elias. “Nice to actually meet you.” Waylon shook her hand, still speechless.
“Everyone else, this is Wren Stapleton,” Elias said. “Wren, you’ve met Bear already.”
Everyone took their attention off Wren and turned it to the big man as if to sayreally dude? You never said anything. Elias pointed one by one at the rest of his brothers. “And this is Gabe, Shane, and Ben. And Waylon, officially. And this is the lovely and talented Stephanie, who is the heart and soul of this place.”
She nodded at the men as they each greeted her. She extended her hand to Stephanie, her smile warm. Elias thought Wren hid her surprise well. Stephanie was in her seventies and probably not who she’d expected as a yoga teacher.
“Elias was telling me you teach yoga here and that I should sign up for one of your classes. Nice to meet you.”
Stephanie took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Nice to meet you too, dear. Gotta say, Elias has good taste.”
Wren’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she kept her smile. “Good taste in yoga instructors, obviously,” she said, gesturing at Stephanie.
