“Who are the other two with the guys?” Petra asked.
“The younger one with the dark brown hair is Tanner Harding, Max’s cousin,” I said, but she wasn’t watching him. “And the other is billionaire extraordinaire of the banking world, Leland Sinclair, Max’s father.”
“He doesn’t look like any father I’ve ever met,” Jude muttered, drawing a second beer. “What are they doing here? Slumming?”
I laughed at his dry comment. “I don’t know. Jack didn’t tell metheywere also coming tonight.”
Petra returned her attention back to finishing off my order.
I dispensed my drinks to my customers, saw to the next table, then headed over to the rich and famous. Pad and pen in hand, I stopped next to Jack.
“What will it be?” I knew what Jack, War, and Max drank, but not the other two.
Leland Sinclair glanced at me. He was striking, with stern features and dark hair. And I was dead sure his steel-gray eyes would cast one look at a person and he’d see all their sins. I met the man a couple of times in the last two years. My family and I had had dinner at the temple of the gods, aka, his sprawling mansion in Carmel.
“Mr. Sinclair, it’s good to see you,” I said with a smile.
“Ray,” he greeted me with a little nod.
Then I arched a brow at Max’s equally good-looking cousin. Man, I’d always thought Jack’s ice-gray eyes were extraordinary, but Tanner’s teal-blue ones could compete. “Tanner, traversing off-orbit to the dark side?”
Max and War bellowed with laughter. “Good one,” War sputtered.
I wanted to crawl under the furniture at my mouth’s tendency to run off. But Jack’s palm on my lower back kept me there. Leland cut a quick look at us, his steely gaze brightening in amusement. A smile tugged Tanner’s mouth, cracking his usually cool expression.
“Please, call me Leland,” Mr. Sinclair said then. “You’re about to become family.”
“Please do.” Max snorted. “With all the women here watching him, it’s bound to put them off knowing he has a grown-up son.”
Leland merely arched a dark eyebrow at Max’s teasing, and I was glad to see them have fun. It would make Ila happy.
“Bourbon,” Leland said.
Tanner glanced about the place. “Vodka on the rocks.”
Thankfully, we kept some of those top-shelf bottles for the fallen elite straying our way.
“And get us the usual snacks,” Jack said. “Double it.”
“Wings, nachos and dips, burgers?”
“Yeah.” Max grinned. “My family can dine with hands tonight.”
I scribbled down the order. “Okay, then. Drinks and the feeding trough coming right up for the bachelors’ get-together.” Their guffaws followed me as I left. And I couldn’t stop my grin.
Three years ago, I could barely stand most of these guys, except for Max, and maybe War. I’d disliked Leland Sinclair for what we’d all assumed he’d done to Max, Tanner for his aloof ways, and Jack for just breathing.
Today, I liked them, especially the owner of those silver eyes I was aware watched me as I made my way to the counter with the order. Yup, I was totally invested in him.
My cell buzzed. I removed it from my apron pocket. At the name,TomCat, I smiled. I needed to change that. He was my cat now. I opened the message.
Date night. Tomorrow.
Grinning, I typed back:Can’t. Am busy.
TomCat:Doing what?
Me:Painting my nails.
