“What, try and have a relationship with one of the best people I know?” Huffing out a laugh, I signal for the server to get us another round as he continues. “The one person I know I can call no matter what the time and he’ll be there? The man who can always make me smile when I’m down or the man who is always looking out for other people and is the most loyal man I know? Yeah, why would she want to try and date a man like that?” Our new drinks are put down in front of us, but I don’t reach for mine. I just stare blankly at my best friend. “Look, I was shocked at seeing you together, but if you think I’m going to stand in your way then think again.”
“You’re actually okay with this?”
“Ria is her own person. I can't tell her who she can date any more than I can tell you.”
“Can you keep this to yourself for a while? I really need to get my head around it.”
“What is there to get your head around?”
“This all started out as fake and has all too quickly become real, and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
“You won’t fuck it up.” Taking a sip of his scotch, he throws me a smug smile. “Because if you hurt her, it’s not me, Noah, or even Dad you’ve got to worry about, it’s Grace.”
Shuddering, I give him a small smile. “Yeah, she is scary.”
“Who’s scary, Chuckles?” Sliding onto the stool next to me, Grace signals for the server. “Two martinis, please.” She winks at him, and his cheeks flush as he gathers what he needs.
“Two martinis?” Hunter asks.
“One’s for your sister, you tool.”
“Really? I would have thought they were both for you?”
“Wiseass.” She nudges his shoulder. “I’m pacing myself. Got a big day tomorrow. Anyway, I hear you may have walked in on your sister and this guy and may or may not have overreacted.”
“She told you?” I cringe.
“Or course she told me.” She rolls her eyes before grinning at me. “She tells me everything.”
“Everything?” I ask.
“Yep, everything.” She gives me a mischievous grin, her eyes briefly dropping to my crotch.
“Jesus.” I drag my hand down my face and she cackles, accepting her drinks from the server who slips her a card and winks before walking away.
“Do you think he is the type that can bend me into the best and most pleasurable positions and make me black out?”
“Christ, Grace,” we both say, laughing.
“What? I have a terrible reputation to maintain. Do you think he could?”
“Who could what?” Ria slides in next to Hunter who gives her a soft smile that she returns.
“That server…” Grace nods at the man now fixing a drink for someone else on the other side of the bar. “Do you reckon he could bend me into a pretzel and have me scream his name as he ran through me like a traffic light?” Smothering my laugh behind my hand, I look at Hunter who is doing the same, but Ria glances across the bar.
“I doubt it, babe.” Ria shrugs.
“Crap.” Grace pops her olive in her mouth. “It’s been too long.”
“Babe, he’s more likely to call you by his mom’s name than have you screaming his.” Ria sips her martini, and both Hunter and I stare at her in shock.
“You’re right. He’s got mama’s boy written all over him.” Grace groans.
“Who has mama’s boy written all over him?” Lily appears at Ria’s side along with Marcus, Jade, Deacon, Beck, and Noah.
“The server who gave Grace his number,” Ria says, motioning with her glass, and everyone turns to look. “Jesus, guys, why not make it more obvious.” She giggles.
“Definitely mama’s boy,” Deacon says gruffly.
