Mr. Swoony (The Nest #3)

Chapter 26

Twenty-Six

Conor

“She’s hugging him,” I say under my breath.

“Relax, that’s her goodbye hug.”

I wasn’t happy to see Jade walk in the restaurant right after me. I was here early enough that Eloise wouldn’t see me. Tristan was early, and he doesn’t appear to pay much attention to anything but himself, so I was able to change my seat to have the perfect view through the mirror on the back wall of the bar. Then Jade came in, and I saw Eloise track her journey across the restaurant.

“How do you know?” I ask, the two of us now glancing over our shoulders as if the reflection in the mirror has been skewed somehow.

“Her ass is out. It’s a polite hug, not a ‘let’s get back together’ hug.”

Still, I hate seeing his arms wrapped around her. I shouldn’t be here. I know this is Eloise’s business to handle, and she doesn’t need me. I’m still unsure whether it’s protectiveness, or if I’m worried that he’s going to talk her into getting back together.

“Oh, jeez, stop the jealous alpha thing.” Jade slides off the stool. “She’s gone.”

I climb down from my stool, tossing some money on the bar top. “I’m not jealous.”

“Sure, you are. Be prepared, I’m pretty sure she saw us.”

“Because you came in late and wearing that ridiculous hat.”

We walk toward the door.

“Have a great evening,” the hostess says, waving.

We both mumble a thank you and goodbye.

“You’re not even in disguise. You and the rest of your little gang think sunglasses and a baseball hat disguise you. That’s ridiculous.”

I push open the door for Jade, and she steps out.

“Should I have worn a Gumby costume?” I ask.

“Well, you could have left the jacket at home. Chicago’s in the middle of a heatwave.”

We fall in line on the sidewalk, but Jade stops, and I bump into her shoulder. I look up to see what’s made her stop and see Eloise leaning against a light pole, waiting for us.

“Hello, Jade. Hello, Conor. Enjoy your meal?” Her eyebrows are raised.

I strip off my sunglasses.

“You know I can handle myself.” Eloise pushes off the light pole and heads down the street.

Jade quickens her footsteps to catch up, and I follow, of course.

“I’m sorry, Eloise, I just wanted to make sure he didn’t do something…” She shakes her head, tearing off her hat. “I wanted to be here for you in case he said some really shitty things.”

Did he? If so, I might just turn around and break his fucking nose. Finish what we started at the church.

Eloise has to stop at a corner and wait to cross, so she studies both of us. “Look at you two. You looking like you came from the Kentucky Derby, and you”—she points at me—“are you trying to be James Dean with a baseball hat?”

I strip off the leather jacket I borrowed from Tweetie from when he dressed up as Danny from Grease at Halloween last year. My white T-shirt is close to being see-through from sweat.

“I can handle myself.” The pedestrian sign blinks, and Eloise crosses the street.

Jade and I look at one another.

“We know that.” Jade rushes and touches Eloise’s arm to stop her once we’re on the other side of the street. “But you don’t need to do this alone.”

Eloise moves out of the way of pedestrian traffic. “I’m sick of people thinking I can’t survive without their help.”

Jade sighs. “That’s not why I went to the restaurant. I went because I’m your best friend. You were having a final conversation with the man you were supposed to marry. I didn’t think you’d be skipping out of there, and I wanted to offer you a shoulder to cry on if you needed it.” She thumbs in my direction. “I didn’t realize I was going to have competition.”

I point at my chest. “Are you blaming me for something?”

Jade scoffs. “If it was only me, she would’ve understood. She’s only reacting this way because of you being all overprotective.”

“Overprotective? I’m here for the same reason you are.” I scowl at her.

“Let’s remember you started a fist fight in the foyer of a church.” Jade crosses her arms and raises her eyebrows.

“That guy is a douche. Don’t tell me you didn’t want to hit him too.”

Jade struggles to fight the smile playing at her lips. “That’s not the point.”

“No, the point is…” Eloise sticks her head into our little huddle. “I’m a grown woman. I chose to end that relationship. I appreciate you both coming. I do. But I really want to be alone right now and reflect. So why don’t you two go have dinner together or something?” She waves her hand between us, turns around, and walks down the street.

I start to follow, but Jade grabs my arm and tugs me in the opposite direction. “Don’t follow her.”

“I can cheer her up.” I turn my body as if I’m not going to listen to Jade.

“You’re coming with me.” She tugs on my arm.

“Why?”

She raises her hand for a taxi, and one immediately pulls up along the curb. “Because you can’t be trusted. You get some boy time with Bodhi tonight.”

She opens the door of the taxi, and I take one last look at Eloise’s back continuing down the street. Her legs look so fucking good in her summer dress. I wish she would’ve picked a burlap sack to wear to say goodbye to her no-good, asshole fiancé.

“Get in,” Jade says.

“This is completely unnecessary.” I climb in, and she gets in next to me, setting the hat in the middle seat. It’s big enough to be another person.

“If I let you go home, you won’t be able to control yourself. Trust me, Conor, if you want a chance with her, give her time to sort this all out on her own.”

“But—”

“There’s no but. If you go in there and try to fix it by crossing something off her list or bringing her ice cream or some other sweet gesture, you might end up just being the rebound guy. Now, if all you want to do is have sex with her, then I’ll have the driver drop you off. Is that what you want?”

“Are you asking if I want to have sex with her?”

Her eyes bore into mine, and she inhales a deep breath. “Only. I meant do you only want to have sex with her.”

“No.” I shake my head, and my shoulders sag. “Just so you know, this is taking all the restraint I have. I’m going to listen to you, but if you’re wrong… well, I’m not gonna be happy.”

“Ask Henry. I’m never wrong.”

She laughs, and I shake my head, rolling my eyes.

The cab drives away from my building and toward Jade and Henry’s house. Probably a good idea for her to take me far away. The fixer in me wants so badly to step in and make Eloise feel better. But if this means I get an honest chance with Eloise, I’ll grin and bear this discomfort. Hell, I’m a fucking professional hockey goalie. I’ve taken worse for far less of a reward.