“Finn! Damn it, I’m coming!”
Chapter 36
Chase
“You’re doing it again,” Diego said.
I looked up from the bench press to where he hovered, hands outstretched, ready to catch the bar if I faltered. I groaned as I shoved the thing upward. “Doing what?”
“That.” He gestured at my face. “The grinning thing. You’ve been doing it since you got here.”
“I’m not grinning. I’m trying not to die under the extra plate you threw on the bar.”
I finished my set, and Diego helped the bar settle onto the rack as I sat up.
“You’re absolutely grinning. You look like you’re one of the bad guys onThe Traitorsand just voted out the fifth Faithful in a row.”
I wiped sweat from my face with a towel. “I’m just in a good mood. I’m allowed to be happy, aren’t I?”
“Uh-huh.” Diego crossed his arms, studying mewith the gaze of a professional investigator—which he was not but thought he was because he watchedLaw & Orderwith a zealot’s fervor. “When did I see you last? Tuesday?”
“Yeah. Lunch.”
“And on Tuesday you were stressed about work and complaining about not having enough time with the bartender.”
“His name is Finn.”
“I know his name. My point is—” Diego’s eyes widened, and the rugged, burly man clutched his pearls right there in the middle of the free weight section. “Oh my God. You got laid!”
I covered my face with my towel as heat exploded across my skin.
“You did!” Diego laughed. “Holy shit, Chase, you’re blushing!”
“I’m not—”
“You are! Your face is the color of a tomato right now. I can see it through that damn towel.” I peeked up from the cloth to find my traitorous bestie grinning like he’d just won something. “I need details. When did this happen? Wait, let me guess. Your smile is still hitting your ears, so it had to be recent. Last night?”
“Diego, please—”
“Itwaslast night, wasn’t it? That’s whyyou’re glowing. You know you’re glowing, right? Like they say pregnant women do.” He stumbled back a step, eyes going even wider. “Oh, God. You’re not pregnant, are you? I’m too young to be an uncle.”
“Fuck my life,” I mumbled into the towel, then looked up. “Can we not discuss this in the middle of the gym?”
“Why not? It’s a natural—”
“Diego, for the love of God, please.”
He studied my face for a long moment, then his expression shifted from teasing to something more serious. “Dinner. After we’re done here. We’re getting dinner and you’re telling me everything.”
“I don’t think—”
“That wasn’t a request. I’m invoking guy code. According to the code, a Best Friend Red Card can’t be ignored or refused. I’m playing the card now.” He snatched up his water bottle and drained it. “You can either tell me willingly over food and beer, or I’ll interrogate you right here in front of everyone. Your choice.”
I stared at him.
Then looked around at the guys on benches who were failing to hide their eavesdropping—or their shit-eating grins.
“Fine. Dinner.”
