He doesn’t move. Just shifts his weight, squares up a bit more, filling the frame as if he’s staking a claim.
“What areyoudoing here?” he fires back.
Right. So that’s how this is going to go.
I bite down on the first dozen things that come to mind, because if anyone’s marking territory here, it’s going to be me — not this feckin’ saint with his calm voice and his place at her door. Before I can say anything else, though, she appears behind him, and everything in my head goes quiet.
“You’re early.” A small smile plays on her lips.
Aye. I was, and I don’t regret it for a second.
“Aye.” I keep it simple. “You look beautiful.”
She’s in jeans and a black tank top, simple and effortless, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her with this little on. My attention snags on her right arm, tattooed with flowers and birds in dark shades, wrapping from shoulder to wrist. It suits her.
“Thanks.” She reaches for a leather jacket and slips it on.
Then she turns to Holloway, who’s staring at her like he’s forgotten how breathing works.
“I’m so sorry, Aiden. Time kind of flew by, and I forgot I agreed to have dinner with Finn.”
“It’s a date,” I add.
She glances at me, then back at him.
“I don’t mean to kick you out,” she continues gently.
“It’s okay.” He nods once. “I can see myself out.”
He hesitates, then looks at her again. “Would it be alright if Neptune comes over to my place? I’m about to take Skye for a walk. I can take him too.”
“Sure.” She smiles easily—too easily for my liking. “I can grab his leash—”
“I’ve got it.” He cuts in. “I have a key. I can lock up.”
I blink.
“You have a key?” I can’t quite keep the edge out of my voice.
He glances at me, then back at her, all soft eyes and quiet confidence. “James gave me a key in case of emergencies. I can lock up and give it to you when you get back.”
“Sounds good.” She turns to me. “Let me grab my wallet and my phone. I’ll be right back.”
She disappears into the house.
Holloway stays exactly where he is, blocking the doorway like a damn guard dog. We stare at each other, neither of us moving.
God, I hate this guy.
Chapter 12
The drive to the restaurant is so short that I barely have time to process everything that just happened before Finn is already pulling into a parking spot.
One second, I’m still replaying Aiden standing in my doorway, keys in hand, Skye and Neptune trotting off together like this is already normal, and the next, I’m climbing out of Finn’s truck.
It’s jacked up, lifted high off the ground, shiny black and massive, built to make a statement. The inside is pristine, with not a speck of dust anywhere, which somehow feels very on-brand for him. So does the way he looks tonight.
He’s wearing jeans and a black T-shirt that clings to his broad chest and stretches slightly over his biceps, tucked neatly into a belt that matches his black boots. Tattoos cover his forearms, dark ink I hadn’t noticed before, and now can’t stop looking at.His hair and beard are trimmed to perfection, his green eyes bright and unapologetic.
