The place was crowded for a weeknight. The neon sign on the wall blinked slowly, as if it might die at any moment, and peanut shells crunched under our boots. It was perfect. A few couples were two-stepping on the dance floor, but we claimed a corner booth far enough from the bar to chat without shouting.
Ellis had complained about “security risks,” but Rhodes insisted we’d be well protected for a night out. I could see the group of guys already stealing glances our way, but they kept their distance. I hadn’t received another flower delivery or any sign that my ’stalker’ was still lingering around. My hope was that they had given up and moved on. I knew Rhodes didn’t think so, but we were stuck waiting because there seemed to be no other way to find out, which sucked.
Still, I couldn't shake the prickly feeling of being watched, as if eyes were boring into my back from the shadows. My paranoia was at an all-time high, as were my nightmares. I knew everyone was doing their best to find out who was behind it, but with so long a spell between deliveries, I was torn between hoping they had moved on and wishing they’d strike again, so there was a chance they’d be caught.
Our guys were already set up at a table across the room. Rhodes’ gray eyes locked on mine for a split second before he looked away after a quick wink. Wade was there too, always the big brother, keeping an eye on Chloe and Phiny without hovering.
We slid into the booth, and Phiny immediately flagged down the server. "Tequila shots, ladies? Sage's specialty—first round on me."
I grinned, the tension in my shoulders easing. "You know me too well. Make 'em doubles. It's been that kind of week."
“Well, I wasn’t planning to say anything just yet, but … none for me.” Hattie gave us all a little smile as she placed her hand on her belly.
We squealed and dove in for hugs and congratulations.
I gave Hattie a look. “You need to make Kippers an honest man. He’s just wandering the world in a state of scandalous indecency.”
Hattie giggled. “I’m working on it, but I think we’re just going to go to the courthouse and get hitched. Maybe do a little celebration at Sunday dinner with the family.”
“We can come, right? To the courthouse?” We’d missed the last Holt wedding, and I wasn’t sure we’d gotten over it yet.
“Of course. We’d love that. I know you missed East and Lila, but we’ll have you there. Kipp said you all wouldn’t mind.” She rolled her eyes.
My brothers were idiots about that sort of thing. You didn’t just get hitched without all of us there. When I got married, I wanted the whole thing. The dress, the flowers, the march. Everything. I respected people who wanted to do things differently, but a dream from when I was little had hovered in my mind, exactly how I’d want the day to go.
The shots arrived quickly, making my mouth water. Tequila was my favorite. I knew it wasn’t everyone’s jam, but with the little limes on the side, the shots made me happy. We clinked glasses, the burn hitting me sharp and quick.
“To surviving creepy exes and even creepier stalkers,” I toasted with Hattie’s water glass. The tipsy chatter erupted like wildfire. “And to getting a baby Kipp. Well, we mostly have to toast Hattie, who has to grow a whole person.” I downed the next one.
"Okay, spill, Sage," Lila demanded, her cheeks already flushing from the shot. "You've been dodging details. What's the deal with Rhodes' ex? Catherine, right? She sounds like a total nightmare."
I signaled for another round. I would need another shot just thinking about that woman. “Ugh, where do I start? She shows up at his door like she owns the place, calling him 'husband' right after... well, you know." I waved vaguely, heat creeping up my neck at the memory. “It just dredges up all my old crap with my ex. Ex-girlfriend drama central. Rhodes explained everything. It sounds like she really is a mega-bitch.” The tequila was doing its job, making me feel all warm. “Honestly, I hate being a mean girl, but I don’t really mind when it comes to her.She’s still hanging around out near Alder Valley and Jenkins Mill.”
“That is weird. You’d think she’d go back to Seattle.” Phiny leaned in, eyes sparkling mischievously. “If she shows up again, we'll handle her Holt-style."
We laughed as another round arrived just in time. Chloe, usually the quiet one, fidgeted with her glass, her cheeks pinker than the alcohol could explain. "Speaking of men... I, uh, had this patient at the hospital today. He was interesting.” She fidgeted some more.
Mia’s eyes narrowed. “Interesting, as in hot? Or interesting as he has an STD that you’ve never seen before.”
Chloe snorted. “Interesting hot I guess, but I think he was lying about why he was there.”
“Don’t men do that a lot at the hospital? Lie to make the reason they’re there sound better?” Mia chortled.
“They do,” Chloe admitted, biting her lip.
“Was he handsome?” Phiny asked. It was what I was wondering, the way Chloe was thinking so hard about this patient.
“Very.” Another blush. “Lots of tattoos and stuff, but really handsome.”
“Well, that’s okay, Lo. Flirting isn’t going to hurt anyone. You need a break from those doctors.” Phiny’s eyes narrowed. “He’s not a doctor, is he?”
“Definitely not.” She shook her head. “Pretty sure he was in a gang or something. Maybe one of those motorcycle guys.”
The table erupted. "Chloe Holt, you little rebel!" Lila crowed, high-fiving her. "Our resident good girl, flirting with a tattooed MC guy? Spill the details—did he have that forbidden charm?"
Chloe buried her face in her hands, laughing. "He was just... intense. Everything about him is a red flag, but nobody has ever looked at me like that."
Phiny grinned wickedly. "Good girl Chloe, going for the bad boy? Next thing you know, you'll be sneaking him into the ER for 'private check-ups.' We're proud of you, sis—finally getting some!"
