“Oh, Hutchinson. You should know by now that I always bring the fun stuff because you never know,” she answers.
“Well, we’re off to shower and nap. You lads have a nice afternoon,” Cornelia says. Her lipstick is a mess, and she looks like she just got fucked by at least two Italian men. I open my mouth to ask, but decide maybe I don’t want to know.
We wave as Hutch continues to snicker like a teenage boy. Gray slaps him on the head, and Hutch glares at him.
Shaking my head, I decide I should switch to caffeine. I go to grab a cappuccino from the kitchen. The kitchen staff makes quick work of a very fancy machine and has me off on my way with a handmade mug filled with the best cappuccino within five minutes. I walk back out to the side patio, wondering what it was like for Vito growing up here.
Gray looks me over once again. “Seriously, what’s up?”
It takes me a minute of contemplation to decide if I should tell him. I decide I should. If I can’t talk to one of my best friends, then who can I talk to?
“I think Carly’s on a dating app,” I murmur as I sip my drink.
“Oh? Aren’t you on one?” he asks.
I shrug. “Yes, but…I guess I was just surprised. I didn’t know she was ready to date again,” I explain.
“Maybe you should offer to help her swipe right, or is it left?” Gray suggests as he scrunches his brows.
“You think I should get involved?” I question. I don’t tell him that deep down, I don’t want her dating anyone because that would mean I’ve admitted to myself that I want to date her. And I know I can’t do that. I’d never be able to fully give myself to someone. I’d always be thinking the other shoe would be dropping, and that’s not fair to her or Ava. They deserve the best, even if the best isn’t me.
“Yes. You know her the best,” he says. Al walks up to us and looks from Gray to me.
“Who knows who the best?” he asks.
Gray points to me. “Bray knows Carly the best.”
Al smiles. “Of course you do.”
Gray smirks and looks at Al. “Carly wants to date again.”
“Oh?” Al replies as he studies me.
“Gray thinks I should help her find a date,” I explain.
“Well, what if you gave her a practice one. I could watch Ava tonight,” he offers.
Sighing, I look from one man to another.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I mean, look at Kasen and Piper. They started out as practice dates,” I point out.
“Well, you want to help her, don’t you?” Al asks.
Fuck. Checkmate. The man has me cornered. He knows I’d do anything for Carly.
“I do,” I mumble.
“Great. I’ll pick Ava up at half past five,” he says.
“I don’t know. Let me talk to Carly first,” I say as I mull it over.
“You do that and then let me know,” he says as he raises a finger at a woman setting down a tray of eggs for Hutch. Everyone stops to stare at the three plates of eggs cooked in different ways.
Hutch looks up at us. “What?” he asks.
“Nothing,” Gray says with a smirk as he looks away.
Al chuckles. “Hungry?” he asks.
