Ariel’s smile started slow, but spread over her entire face. “And I, you.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “Aunt Maile is single. Ariel is widowed. You should both go dance. Maybe later you can go look at the roses.”
Eve coughed, but luckily both Maile and Ariel were too caught up with one another to pay attention to Jackson’s heavy-handed matchmaking. “I do love this song,” Ariel said softly. “Would you like to...?”
Maile shoved the glass of wine she was holding blindly at them, and Eve took it. The two moved away, speaking low.
Eve glanced at Jackson. “How long have you been planning that?”
Jackson shrugged. “Years. I knew they’d be perfect together.”
“Do you have a sixth sense when it comes to matchmaking?”
“No. I just watch people.”
“Ah.”
“I know you and Gabe would be good together, for instance.”
She flushed. Did everyone know the two of them were sleeping together? So much for her ability to keep secrets. “Livvy said something to you?”
“She didn’t have to. It’s pretty apparent.”
“He doesn’t do relationships.”
“And what do you do?”
Agitated, Eve took a gulp of her wine. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, maybe you should think about that.” He gestured to Gabe, who was busy speaking with his sister. “I wish I’d been able to introduce Maile and Ariel years ago. Even if they share nothing more than a single dance, that’s worth it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you shouldn’t waste time not being with people who bring you joy.”
“If you want to ask her to dance, do it.”
Gabe scowled at Rhiannon. “If you don’t stop teasing me, I’m gonna tell Mom.”
Rhi rolled her eyes. She’d kept her promise to their mother and hadn’t worn her hoodie. Her feminine-cut black tux had only made Sonya huff and puff a little. “I’m just saying. You’re mooning over her. Go talk to her.”
“I am not mooning over her.” Still, he glanced at Eve, deep in conversation with Jackson.
“You like her.”
“Of course I like her. I like everyone I sleep with.” Their voices were hushed whispers. “I don’t know why you’re pushing this. You were the one who told me not to get involved with her, that it would be messy.”
“I did say that, yes.”
“So why now? Since I’m such a serial several-night-stand guy?”
“Did you ever think that maybe you’re a several-night-stand guy because intimacy is hard when you don’t tell your partner the basic things about your background and origin? When you’re keeping secrets?”
He shuffled his feet, the truth of those words stinging. “Mom may have said something similar.”
“I talked to Eve. She’s a good kid. Sorry, woman. I skimmed her business plan too.”
He ignored the pang of hurt that Eve hadn’t told him about her business. “I bet it’s solid.”
“It is. She’s going to put other ride-sharing services out of business, if she can follow through on her plans.”
It was a ride-sharing service that Eve was launching? He wanted to focus on that, because it felt important, but Rhi was demanding his attention.
