“Sort of,” Logan hedged. “It’s been a while, but I used to flip houses with my dad and brother, so I know my way around a hammer and a can of paint.”
Tess was tipsy, but still clocked Logan’s caginess—the same evasive vibe he’d given off when she asked him what he did on the campout. What was that about? Was he a con artist looking to take advantage of Max? Or just embarrassed that he didn’t have a solid job?
Unemployed or not, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked in the firelight. She shook her head to dislodgethatthought.
“I’m grabbing another round.” Tess held up her empty glass. “Anyone else want one?”
“You shouldn’t have to get your own drinks on your birthday,” Alex said. “I’ll get it.”
“I gotta pee anyway,” Tess said, standing.
She returned wearing the hat Alex had given her and holding the book from Faith.
“How to Get Anyone to Do Anything You Want.” She read the title and held the book aloft. “I hope y’all relish your last days of free will, ’cause I’m gonna read this and make you my puppets.”
“Great pick, Faith,” Alex said sarcastically. “Like she’s not already controlling enough?”
“It’s not meant to be used against us, Tess!” Faith said. “Although, I do want to borrow it. See if I can figure out how to convince this one to pick up his wet towels.” She hitched a thumb at Nick.
“Hey!” he said defensively.
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” started to play, and Tess jumped up. “I love this song! Let’s dance.”
“Oh, dear,” Juliet muttered.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Faith’s eyes darted toward Logan. “Not everyone here knows.”
“Knows what?” Logan asked.
“It’s my birthday,” Tess said, ignoring them. Her friends often teased her about hersupposedlack of dance skills, but she knew they exaggerated just to get under her skin. “You have to.”
“She’s drunk,” Alex said. “And friends don’t let friends drink and dance.”
“She might regret this in the morning.” Juliet set her beer on the table and stood. “But you heard the woman. It’s her birthday.”
“At least it’s dark,” Nick mumbled.
“Come ooooon!” Tess moved to an open spot away from the fire and began to swing her hips. Eyes closed and hands in the air, she swayed to the music.
Begrudgingly, her friends got up and indulged her. In a boozy haze, Tess dropped all inhibitions, danced recklessly, and sang into her beer bottle at top volume.
She didn’t want to care what Logan thought of her, but when she caught his eye, his face lit up. His broad smile made her stomach flip in a way that had nothing to do with all the sugar and alcohol she’d ingested. She looked away quickly, deciding she’d better wait for full sobriety before attempting to identify the feelings he evoked.
Well past midnight, Nick dropped her off at home. After a night of loud music and the constant jabber of her friends, the absolute quiet was jarring.
Since Faith had gotten married and moved out over a year ago, Tess had grown accustomed to the silence. Most of the time, she didn’t mind, but sometimes it got lonely, and now was one of those times.
Settling down was on her list, but she wondered where she’d ever find a man. Holly, Faith, and Alex had all found someone, so she knew it wasn’t impossible. She just couldn’t see a path for how it would happen for her.
Carter was nice and generous, but also cocky and petulant—definitely not long-term material. Unbidden, Logan popped into her head. Not that he was an option, but he was nice too.Also handsome, thoughtful, and competent. His shortcomings apparently involved being broke and jobless.
Money didn’t matter much to Tess. But after her first disaster of a marriage, it mattered a little.
Financial issues, if not the exact cause of her breakup, were definitely the root of it. Her ex-husband—Seth—had come into the marriage with a twenty-thousand-dollar gambling debt. An obligation he’d failed to mentionpre-wedding.
And if that weren’t bad enough, he’d expected Tess to help him pay it off. They’d gone ’round and ’round, and she’d finally agreed to pitch in. Even made a few payments. But when she found out Seth was still gambling—and still losing—she’d gone straight to an attorney.
No, she wouldn’t date someone just because he had money, but she also wouldn’t date someone who had none. That didn’t make her petty, that just made her smart.
