I dart my eyes back to the menu. “Still looking.” I thought they’d already talked about this. He said he was going to put out a statement and she was here to take pictures.
Thankfully, the tension I feel at the table is broken up when the waitress returns with our drinks. I busy myself by studying the menu while she asks if we’re ready to order.
“Do you need a few more minutes?” Felix asks, and I shake my head.
“No, go ahead and start if everyone else is ready.”
“I’ll have steak fajitas.” Gray goes first, then places his arm around the back of my chair. The waitress moves around the table, taking everyone’s order, leaving me for last.
“I’ll have the Cajun chicken and shrimp with mashed potatoes.” My eyes go to Remy after I order to cheekily ensure it meets his standards.
“That’s all?” he says, but he’s smirking, so I know he’s teasing.
“If I’m still hungry, I’ll nibble on some of the three appetizers you ordered.”
Remy points at me like I’ve hit the nail on the head. “Always thinking about you.”
I grin and get a little swoony, because that’s what you do when your gorgeous man flirts with you, but I rein it in quickly, because it’s not just us at the table. “Are we going to head to the town hall when we get done here?” I direct my question to Gray.
He nods. “The village clerk should have most of what we’re looking for. I can make copies of everything and bring it home if you would prefer,” he offers.
“We might as well just come with you. The more eyes the better, right?”
Gray continues his slow nod at my words.
I turn my attention to Nash, who’s been quiet since we sat down. I’m a little at a loss for what we should talk about. I can’t get too much into work with mixed company, and I don’t want to put her on the spot and ask about Flannigan either.
“Do you live in the city?” That feels like a safe topic.
“I’m in the city now, but I grew up in the suburbs,” she answers. “This is where you all grew up?”
“Us.” I gesture between the guys and me. “How about you, Ash? Where do you call home?”
“I have a place in Greenville, near the practice facility,” she answers.
“I’m excited to go to a game instead of watching the highlights,” I admit.
“You haven’t been to a game?” Nash gasps.
“Not one. I’ll be going to a few in the fall. Want to come with?” My tone is hopeful. I know she follows football, so my chances are pretty good.
“Hexes, yes, I do. Can you get us good seats?” Nash directs her question to Remy, who chuckles in response.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
After that, the chatting comes a little easier. I do my best to include Ash as well, but she spends a lot of time looking at her phone, seemingly engrossed with whatever she’s doing.
I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU TO A BATTLE OF WITS, BUT I SEE YOU ARE UNDERPREPARED.
After dropping Remy and Ash back at the house, Gray parks the SUV in front of the town hall. It’s a grand brick building with lots of windows and a tall clock tower jutting up from the roof. Four pillars span across the front entrance, holding up the porch roof, and there’s a short set of stairs leading to the main doors.
The four of us exit the car. Nash and I sat in the back, while Gray and Felix took the front. “You guys can wait here if you want,” Gray offers again, and I start to get suspicious of his motives.
“It’s almost like you don’t want me around.” I jut out my hip.
“You know that’s not true.” Gray gives me a light scowl.
“Then what gives?”
