“What secret?” Willow arrived. She wore a knee-length lavender dress, nipped in at the waist. Her hair was in a high ponytail.
“Hey there, sweet cheeks.”
“Birthday boy.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek. “You can have your present later.”
“Willow,” Buster moaned. “You don’t say shit like that to a guy.”
“What? Why?”
Newman laughed.
“I’ll look forward to it, Willow.”
He left the couple, and heard Buster explaining just what she’d implied. His friends were in a booth, and they made room for him. Jake McBride, another friend and Katie’s brother, raised his glass, and they toasted Newman. He then started opening the presents they handed him. A Longhorns cap from Tex.
“Again, bud? Seriously, it didn’t work last year. You got a lifetime supply of these or something?”
The Texan smiled, flashing his teeth. He was dressed like his brother in a white T-shirt and jeans, hair slicked back, arm slung around his wife, another friend, Annabelle Smith, who looked like she’d stepped off the set of aGreaseremake. The other arm was resting on his brother’s shoulder.This is a happy man,Newman thought with a tug of jealousy. In fact, they were all happy. His friends were, for the most part, loved up, and he was pleased… no, really he was, he told himself. The problem was, he’d decided that wasn’t for him, but lately… well, lately he wasn’t quite so sure. His eyes went to the bar, and he looked at Hope and wondered what the hell this shit was with her. Why she made him unsettled. Maybe it was as simple as the fact that he was feeling ready? Should he start looking seriously for a life partner?
“Me next.”
He took the roll of paper from Willow and opened the silk bow. Unrolling it, he looked at what she’d drawn. It was all of them. His friends. Tex was leaning on Jake, and Newman on Cubby. Noah had Brad in a headlock, and Buster was at the end pulling a muscleman pose. It was natural, and so freaking brilliant he felt tears prickle in his eyes. It could have been any day after their ball games.
“I don’t know what to say, Willow. It’s really something,” he managed to get out.
“You just said it all.” She smiled.
The rest of his gifts ranged from insulting to useful—from the women. When the music started up, they were soon moving to the floor. He danced with a few of the local girls, and told himself he was not watching Hope.
“My round,” he said, ignoring the protests, and made for the bar. Why couldn’t he stay away from the woman?
“Hey there, birthday boy.”
“Faith. How’s Hope doing?”
“Don’t tell her I said this, but she’s awesome. Always was. Noah and I reckon she’s a pro. Has a nice way of handling people without getting too close, and gives as good as she gets.”
“Yeah, she’s certainly a people person.”
Faith laughed. “She was raised by Militant, not sure how you’d think she’d be any different?”
“Ryan always was.”
“Must be more like his father is my guess.”
“You know anything about him, their father?”
“Dad and Mom knew him. Said he was a good sort, but him and Militant weren’t compatible. He left, and never returned.”
“They see him?”
Faith shrugged. “Hope is pretty closed about her father, so I never pried. Why the interest?”
“Curiosity, I guess.”
“I think it may be more than that, birthday boy, but we’ll leave it there.”
While Faith made up his order, he watched Hope. She was smiling at the guy she was serving. Her buttons, he noticed, had long since given up. At least she wore a tank top underneath. Still, it was low enough that he could see the curve of her breasts when she leaned over. The guy was enjoying the show. Newman wasn’t.
