“Ah.” Skye smiled softly. “I bet that was nice.”
What?Ford felt himself frowning and didn’t care. Hadn’t she recently told him that she didn’t want involvement? Okay, so she’d meant with him. Romantically. Whatever. His friends were a part of the deal.
“Now that I hang out with them, too, I can confirm that it’s very nice,” Karen said.
To Marcus and Bray, Ford grumbled, “Skye has to realize that they’re trying to draw her in.”
“So?” Marcus watched the women. “I’m curious to see how she’ll react.”
“Me, too,” Bray said. “Maybe they can accomplish what Ford couldn’t.”
Yeah, Ford was a little curious about that himself.
“They’re all terrific, you know.” Leaning in, Lucy said, sotto voce, “Ford and Knox were ‘men of honor’ at my wedding. Like bridesmaids, but male.”
Grinning, Skye finally flashed him a glance but quickly looked away. “That sounds like fun.”
“It was,” Lucy said fondly. “They’re my family now.”
Karen added, “She and Marcus were fighting the inevitable, but that could only last so long.”
“Look who’s talking.” Lucy added. “Not that Bray was fighting it. Only Karen.”
“When a weird ex came after me, I had to ask Bray for help. Turned out that was the smartest move I could have made.”
Even from the distance of his own yard, Ford saw Skye’s face heating. “Oh, um . . .”
In awe, Ford muttered, “They’re sharing their entire histories.”
Unconcerned, Marcus shrugged. “They’re encouraging her.”
“It’s been like . . . three minutes.” And now Skye knew everything of importance. Well, almost everything.
Lucy, who was always wonderful, didn’t give Skye a chance to retreat. “Your plants are beautiful.”
Karen asked, “Is that a potted orange tree?”
“It is, and it has fruit. Do you want to see?” Together, they meandered over to Skye’s property.
Watching them, Ford said, “Huh.” They’d just made that all seem so easy.
A second later, Knox stood. “I want to see the oranges, too.” And right behind him, Marcus and Bray said in unison, “I’ll go with you.”
Together, they bounded down the steps, leaving Ford sitting there alone on the deck.
Damn it. He hadn’t gotten new patio furniture just to watch everyone abandon him for his neighbor’s house. With a disgusted sigh, he set aside his drink and got up. His trunks were still damp from a recent swim, his hair messy from drying in the sun. Reflective sunglasses hid his eyes, so he felt certain no one would know his surly mood.
Exactly why he was surly, he couldn’t say.
Heading that way, he noticed how Skye greeted the guys with surprise, while studiously avoiding looking at him.
He eyed her shorts, long legs, and the halter top that left her shoulders bare. She really could be a model.
As he got nearer, he heard mention of Bray’s dog, Rebel. Then Skye surprised him by saying she was considering getting a dog.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I have a decent-sized yard and it’s a nice neighborhood to take a walk.”
Knox said, “It’s a great idea. There’s a local shelter where I help out. I could take you if you want. I know the place, and the pets.”
