I cross my arms at my chest and reclaim my composure. “Is that surprising to you, Stetson? That I’d accompany a man to dinner?”
He grins, and good grief, it does things to me. “Not in the slightest, my love.”
“Mylove?” Betsy yelps. “Holy fuck, Cove. If you don’t want him, I do.”
“Would you shut up?” I bite out, suddenly wishing she were more of a wallflower. Leave it to me to have the chatty friend during my vulnerable moment.
“How did you get up here? And how did you find my place? They don’t give anyone who isn’t on the guest list access to the penthouses.”
But Stetson cocks his head, and I know exactly how he got here. “Not my poor, sweet Jerry. You paid him off? He’s literally the nicest human.”
Jerry is the head of concierge downstairs, the sweet oldman I quote Shakespeare with as I come and go every day. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.
He chuckles, and I can feel the warmth of his laugh from here. I’d bet money Betsy has a stupid, sloppy smile on her face. The same way my insides felt when I first met the recluse bachelor. “Not me, remember?” he reminds me. “I did, however, bring the lobby staff a twelve-pack of beer and guava pastries from Odele’s Bakery. As for finding out where you lived, well, I know people who know people, Cove Isabelle Davenport.”
Why does the fact that he didn’t wave his money around to Jerry make me want him even more?
“You buttered them up?” I exclaim, unable to hide the smile on my lips.
“What a guy…” Betsy mumbles beside me, and I send her a look of disbelief.
“Technically, I filled their stomachs with beer and delicious fucking pastries. Jerry had zero reservations sending me up if it meant I would take care of his precious Cove the same way.”
“Unbelievable…” I shake my head.
“So,” he exhales, dismissing any further questions. “You’ve got a date, you said?”
“A double date. But Cove doesn’t need to go,” Betsy answers for me, earning herself a yank of her purse, and teetering backward.
“She does, and she is,” I deadpan.
“Perfect. I’ll join you.” Without warning, Stetson gently grabs the flowers from my hands and invites himself into our place. Betsy and I stand back in bafflement as he maneuvers his way around our kitchen like he belongs there, filling a vase from under the sink with water for the flowers. Once he’s set them in front of the window, he heads toward us, as easy and breezy as can be.
Grabbing a hold of my hand, he turns to my best friend. “Betsy. Lead the way.” I look at where our hands are joined, words lost on me.
“You got it, cowboy,” Betsy mutters, taking off toward the elevators, with Stetson and me not far behind.
“What…” I barely speak before Stetson leans into my ear, the smell of his woodsy cologne sending goosebumps across my skin. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Cove. Brightest thing I’ve seen in ages.”
My heart pounds in my chest. “That’s a long time…”
His deep laughter is all I hear. All I feel as we join Betsy on the elevator.
I’m going on a double date. And bringing Stetson with me.
Of course, after I give my dear friend, Jerry, a piece of my mind.
CHAPTER SEVEN
stetson
“Baker.Conrad. This is my incredibly beautiful and super talented best friend, Cove.” Betsy turns to me. “And this is Cowboy Stetson, Cove’s new?—”
“Friend,” Cove cuts her off, absentmindedly making me proud to be in a position where the important people in her life question who and what I am to her.
Technically, we are friends. I’m just not sure that’s enough for me.
“Stetson Cole,” I introduce myself, reaching for a handshake. The two men in full suits return the gesture but don’t hide their judgement.
