“Hmm, let’s see. Addison’s in real estate. She’s the one with the red hair that picked me up from your house when you first got Phoebe. Olivia owns a bakery calledSweeter Things. Her husband, Edward, does all the marketing for her and a little freelance. Annaleigh’s uncle ownsB’s, and she recently left her job to take over for him. Max is her boyfriend and her old boss. He’s in Commercial Banking atJMS Bank.”
“Good to know. I’m glad I’m here with you tonight.”
Swoon. I’m glad I’m with you every night.
He squeezed my hand and pulled into a parking spot, locking his truck and leading me to the door. This felt like a big moment, introducing him to my best friends. I wouldn’t do this with someone who was a casual fling.
Would I?
“I’m glad you’re here too,” I said as he took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He always did that. Small touches, glances, caresses. Like he was reassuring himself I was here. He was making it harder to think clearly about our so-called casual relationship.
Mark opened the door for me and put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me past the entrance. I could feel the heat of his skin through my dress, but more than that, this felt natural.Comfortable.
I glanced at him then looked around for the girls. I spotted Addison’s fiery red hair first, piled high on her head with tendrils cascading down her face. I lifted my hand in greeting as we walked to the table.
B’s Barwas a gritty dive that was big in the indie music scene and worked with up-and-coming bands and several non-profits in the area. The walls were covered with funky music memorabilia and pictures of local groups, and the bar was made of dark wood that went across one wall. The opposite side held a large stage, where several musicians were warming up. I didn’t catch the band name on the chalkboard out front, but one guy looked familiar.
I hugged the girls and introduced Mark. He politely shook everyone’s hand before taking a seat next to me and resting his hand possessively on my thigh. It was like he was claiming me. I loved it.
I watched him from the corner eye as he took in his surroundings and immersed himself in with my friends. His eyes tracked over Annaleigh, casually dressed in dark ripped jeans and a blue shirt that saidDibs on the Bass Player,such a contradiction from her last job as an executive assistant.
Then he moved to Olivia wearing skinny jeans and a loose purple blouse, and her husband, Edward, who had on khakis and a polo. Edward was telling the table about an upgrade he’d done to the bakery, and Mark was nodding along like he’d been a part of the whole conversation.
Addison was in her trademark power suit, green today, and Annaleigh’s boyfriend, Max, was still wearing black slacks and a blue button-down shirt, cuffed at the elbows to show thick, dark tattoos snaking up one arm. He was staring at Mark with his lips pursed, giving him a crease between his eyebrows.
“Hey guys, let’s get a round for the table,” Max said, slapping Edward on the shoulder and tilting his head toward the bar. “I wanted to talk to you about something, Mark.”
Mark removed his hand from my thigh and crossed his arms, nodding with a tight smile.
“Damn, dudes,” Addison said, looking between Max and Mark. “Might as well get a tape measure out now and measure your dicks while you’re at the bar so we can enjoy our evening.”
Olivia snickered, and I looked between Annaleigh and Max, reaching under the table and brushing my hand up Mark’s thigh. I didn’t mean for it to be sexual. I only meant to reassure him I was here, but he grasped my hand like I was his lifeline and squeezed. My eyes darted back and forth, trying to figure out what was happening.
“Nothing that dramatic, I hope, Addison,” Edward said, running his hand down Olivia’s arm before standing up.
Max stood up, giving Annaleigh a chaste kiss on the cheek, and with one last squeeze, Mark let go of my hand and motioned to the bar, where the guys followed. We watched them leave, Mark in his tight dark jeans and shirt, Max in his suit, and Edward in his khakis, until they sat down at one of the high-top chairs and motioned to a bartender.
“The shit was that about?” Addison asked, leaning in toward the middle of the table and looking at us.
“No clue,” I said, looking at Annaleigh like she would have a better explanation.
“Max has gone all growly alpha since we made up, but I know he wanted to thank Mark for his help with the Benjamin situation.”
“Aww,” came the collective response.
“While they’re at the bar, tell us all about Mark,” Olivia said, leaning in closer to the center of the table. “He’s going to need a nickname too.”
Everyone nodded, and I glanced one more time at the bar before meeting the eyes of my best friends.
“We decided to keep things going while he’s moved in.”
“Like fuck-buddies?” Addison asked, reaching out to lightly slap my arm. “Awesome. Good for you—you definitely look bang-able tonight. That dress will do all kinds of things for Mark. Oh, how about Officer Big Dick?”
“So, what happens after his house is done?” Annaleigh said, passing around margaritas a server brought over and ignoring the nickname suggestion. Annaleigh put two fingers to her lips, blowing them toward Max before focusing back on us.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what I want, and he’s not looking for anything past casual.”
“Is this you looking for an excuse not to get serious, or did he say he didn’t want anything beyond a casual hook-up?”
