Henry sighs dramatically but gives his brother a warm nod. “Guilty.” Then he turns his attention back to me, and my skin starts to heat up from the undivided attention. “How about this? Let me buy you a drink and maybe I can convince you that I’m not aspretentiousas I might seem.”
I blink, surprised by the invitation. My head turns toward Wren with wide, pleading eyes, but I should have known better. She peers back at me with neon light reflecting off her brunette hair. A big smile stretches across her face as she eagerly nods for me to accept the drink invitation.
She looks excited for me and a knot begins to tighten at the base of my core. Maybe if I had one drink with Henry, she would lighten up about me dating. I’m not sure how many times I have to tell her I’m not ready before it actually sinks in. I know she wants me to be happy, but one guy isn’t going to solve all my problems in one night. He’ll probably just complicate my life even more.
“That depends,” I say, looking back at him. “Are you planning on poisoning it?”
Knox throws his head back and a laugh fills the small area around us. “Oh, I like her.”
Henry smirks, leaning in just slightly so we’re the only two people who can hear his reply. “Not tonight. But if I were, I’d at least wait until the second round.”
CHAPTER 2
While Henry and Knox order drinks, Wren and I head to the bathroom. I see multiple people I know and give them a polite nod. A few of them are Colt’s friends and family, who were unavoidable after our divorce. I couldn’t just crawl into a hole and wait for the dust to settle—small towns didn’t allow that courtesy.
Generations of Colt’s family had lived and died in the small town of Honey Grove. It was difficult to do something as simple as grocery shopping without running into a second cousin or family friend. When we were together it felt like I was on the arm of someone famous.
Once the bathroom door swings shut behind us, my past issues take a backseat, and I’m forced to focus on my current one. Maybe I shouldn’t call Henry an issue, but I need to find a way to let him down easy. I couldn’t start something up with my neighbor, let alone a stranger I barely knew. The thought alone was reckless, and moms don’t do reckless.
Before I can speak, Wren spins around so fast it almost gives me whiplash. Her eyes shimmer with mischief, and I know she’s eager for me to go all in with Henry. I guess I’ll have to let her down easy too.
“Not interested, huh?”
I groan, stepping in front of the smudged mirror. I quickly run my hands through my pin-straight blonde hair, trying to avoid Wren’s line of fire for two more seconds. “I’m not. I was just being nice.”
A dramatic scoff sounds off behind me. “Right. Then why are you hardcore blushing right now?”
“I am not blushing,” I argue, trying to conceal the obvious lie. I look at my reflection, and sure enough, there is a tinge of pink painting the balls of my cheeks.
“Emma, it’s okay to admit you like him. I’m not saying you have to marry the guy.”
My eyes drop to the floor before popping back up to meet her face. I know what she means, but it still stings. “I do not like him, Wren. I accepted a drink. That’s not a binding contract.”
“I know and that’s exactly what I’m trying to say. You can flirt and talk to him without looking too much into it. And if there’s some kissing involved, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. And if he wants to?—”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I say, holding my hands up and begging her to stop. “I will admit he is attractive, but I have zero plans to act on it. He’s my neighbor, Wren. And I’m a single mom. I don’t have time for awkward situations that will only end in disaster.”
I press my lips together, attempting to stand my ground. My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest and I hate the panic rising in my throat. The truth is, I know she’s not wrong. I had felt something when Henry looked at me. He made my breathing erratic and uneven.
Wren studies me and then unexpectedly shrugs. “Okay.”
I narrow my eyes, not buying her act. “That’s it? No argument?”
“Nope. If you don’t think it’s a good idea, then I’ll support you,” she says. I look closer, and I swear I see her lip quiver. Iknew she was bluffing. “But you did already promise him a drink, so we better get back out there.”
A smile rises to my lips, and I shake my head. I should be annoyed because I know she’s not going to drop this, but it’s hard to be annoyed with someone who just wants to see you happy. Part of me wants to grab her shoulders and tell her not everyone finds their soulmate in Honey Grove. At one point, I thought I did, but now I know I was in a hurry to push two puzzle pieces together that didn’t fit.
But I don’t say anything because I feel lucky to have her in my life. Wren has held my hand through the entire divorce. When I needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to eat copious amounts of ice cream with at two a.m., she was there. Maybe I don’t need a soul mate when I have already found my person.
“Thanks, Wren,” I answer with a smile. A jitteriness takes over my body as we exit the bathroom. “God, I’m so nervous. I don’t even know what to talk about. He probably already thinks I’m a jerk.”
“You’ll be fine. I’m going to go talk to Sheila for a few minutes but come grab me when you’re done. Be good,” Wren says before disappearing into the sea of people.
When I make my way to the back of the bar, Henry has his back to me. It gives me an opportunity to admire the dark curls perfectly tousled on top of his head. My fingers itch at my sides for the chance to mess up his flawless style.
“Hey,” I say, claiming my spot next to him.
“Hi,” he offers with a smile. “So, you never told me your name.”
