I might be a bit of a fish out of water while I get my bearings with this whole touring thing, but I don’t want him to worry about me.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine.”Daphne waved a hand.“You’re nothing if not versatile.Look at you.You went from stuffy political fundraisers to thriving in our little town.You blend in, but you shine.”She winked.
“Thanks, Daphne,” I murmured gratefully.“I’m going to get another drink.Anyone else?”I cocked a brow.
They shook their heads, and I made my way to the bar, knowing Hudson was picking me up and I could imbibe a bit.
“Haven’t seen you in here before.New in town?”the bartender asked as he started to mix my cocktail.
“Not so new, just haven’t made my way in here.This place has a good vibe.”I surveyed the red leather seats, high-top tables, and dim lighting.
He slid the drink my way.“Yeah, we needed a little spot like this in town.Lots of places to grab a burger but not a good Manhattan,” he agreed just as his gaze landed on something behind me.
Familiar arms appeared on either side of me as Hudson pressed in from behind, kissing my temple.“Hi, baby.”
I turned to mock glare at my man.“You’re not supposed to be here for another hour.I’m not even tipsy yet.”
He only grinned, unaffected by my ire.“I figured Riley and I would hang at the bar for a bit, let you ladies do your thing.”
My brows rose.“Riley’s here?We’ll be lucky if Daphne doesn’t run for the hills.”
“We’ll behave—Scout’s honor.”He held up two fingers before leaning in to press his lips to mine.“And by all means, get tipsy.Drunk sex just got added to the agenda.”
I fought the full-body shiver the look in his eyes incited.“Behave yourself.”I pointed a finger at his handsome face, watching as he assessed the bartender with a narrowed gaze.“He wasn’t hitting on me.”I rolled my eyes.
“Unless he plays for the other team, he was hitting on you,” he muttered, all too sure of himself.Riley sidled up to his brother as I made my way back to the ladies.
“That didn’t take long.”Katie snorted.
“Nope.”I shook my head at my man’s antics, but truth be told, I didn’t mind.After so many years of feeling nearly invisible to Josh unless he needed me for something, I found it endearing how much Hudson cared.If that sometimes came across as overbearing, I could deal.And anyway, now I had some good eye candy to appreciate from across the room.
“I had money on him showing thirty minutes ago.”Daphne lifted her glass, for once seeming unperturbed that Riley had accompanied his brother.
I was relieved she was having fun, but that quickly changed when she pulled her phone from her purse.The color drained from her face at whatever she saw on the screen.Before I could question her, Riley appeared at the table, clearly having been watching her like a hawk.
“What’s up, Daphe?”The words came out low, but the intensity was unmistakable.
Clearly, being overbearing was a Carter family trait—at least when it came to their women.And it was becoming increasingly apparent that when it came to Daphne, Riley thought of her as exactly that—his.
There was no missing the pallor of her skin or her shaking hands.“Nothing, just been getting lots of spam.”She shrugged, trying and failing to play it off as she gathered her coat and purse.“I didn’t realize the time.I have to go get Jojo from my mom.I’ll catch you guys later.”With a wave, she hurried out the door.
“What is going on with her?”I murmured in concern.
“I’m gonna go make sure she gets home okay.”Riley was halfway to the door before I could even respond.
“Those two are so inevitable, it’s not even funny.”Greta shook her head, her eyes on Riley’s retreating back.
“Yeah, to us maybe.”I couldn’t shake my concern for my cousin.Despite how she might feel about it, I was relieved Riley seemed so determined to see to her safety.
The three of us stayed for another drink, but it was evident all our minds were on Daphne.
“You think it’s too late to call her?”I asked Hudson after we’d dropped Katie and Greta off and were on our way home.
“Yeah, baby, call her tomorrow.”He reached over to squeeze my thigh.
“I should have been paying more attention.Something’s clearly wrong.”
“She seems pretty intent on keeping whatever it is to herself.”
