Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“We’re listening,” Finlay said.
Willa made a circling motion with her finger. “You’re in the vault.”
Eloise nodded. “I went on a date. Is that bad? Am I awful?” She’d lost her husband in a fire a year ago. She was now raising their baby as a single mom.
Just like that, all of Finlay’s troubles blew away. They were trivial in comparison. “No, honey. Not at all.”
“I loved my husband, you know?”
Willa set her hand over Eloise’s. “Of course, you did.”
“But I’m so angry.” Tears glittered in Eloise’s eyes. “I begged him not to join the hotshot team, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“People can be so stubborn,” Ava said.
“Why did he always have to do what Boone did?” Eloise’s husband was the youngest McKenna’s best friend. “I just don’t get it. What’s so special about the McKennas?”
“Don’t ask me.” Willa couldn’t have cared less about bad boys. If Jude hadn’t been Finlay’s obsession, the brothers wouldn’t have been on her radar at all. “I couldn’t pick any of them out of a lineup.”
“Well, I wouldn’t touch a McKenna if they were the last men on earth.” Eloise gulped down half her drink.
Finlay and Willa shared a concerned glance.
“Sweetie, who’s watching the baby for you?” Finlay asked.
“I swap with someone in my neighborhood.”
“You’re not picking her up tonight?” Willa asked.
“Nope. I’ll get her in the morning.”
“Tell us about the date,” Ava said.
“Oh.” Eloise clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth in a sound of disgust. “You’re not going to believe this.
So I’m shooting the opening of this new boutique in Wild Wolff Village.
This place is ridiculous. It’s got maybe twenty things to buy in the entire store, and nothing is even slightly affordable.
We’re talking five hundred dollars for a pair of jeans. ”
“Guess I won’t be shopping there,” Finlay said.
Eloise smiled. “Trust me, there’s nothing you’d want to buy.”
“I’m assuming the jeans come with the keys to a Ferrari?” Willa asked.
“Ha. Right?” Eloise took another swig. “Anyhow, the owner’s designed it like a penthouse apartment. There’s an actual Picasso hanging on the wall.”
“What’s the name of this place?” Ava asked. “I have to see it.”
“It’s called Fredericka’s. The moment you walk in, she hands you a glass of champagne. Anyhow, I’m shooting away, and this guy starts chatting with me. Really nice, really hot, extremely well-dressed.”
“You’ve got my attention,” Willa said.
“Oh, he had mine. That’s for sure. And he’s not hitting on me at all.
He’s real. Genuine. Asking me questions about my life.
He hears I’m a widow, a single mom, and he doesn’t bat an eye.
Which, trust me, is rare. Men disappear like vapor when they hear my sad story.
So I’m talking to him, and I start to feel like, I don’t know, maybe this could be something.
Especially when he says he’s the CEO of a business and keeps hours that prioritize his big, extended family.
I’m thinking, wait a minute, a man who’s actually home?
Who spends time with the people he loves?
In my mind, I’m packing for the next flight to Vegas.
” Eloise flashed her bare ring finger. “But, of course, I’m there to shoot the event, so I keep doing my job. ”
“I really wish you were telling this story in a less hostile tone because I want to be excited for you,” Willa said.
“Yeah, wait for it. It’s coming. Anyhow, the event ends.
I’m packing up, and this guy walks me to my car.
He goes, ‘I could ask for your number and play the waiting game, but can we just skip the bullshit and go on a date Friday night?’” Eloise shook her head.
“Hold on. He didn’t say go on a date. He said, ‘go out Friday night.’”
“I’m not unhappy about any of this,” Finlay said.
“At this point, I wasn’t either. I was all in.
So I get a sitter, and I dress up like I’ve never had my heart broken.
Like I’m not a single mother who lives in lint-covered leggings.
And we have the best time. It was fantastic.
Sparks flying, conversation flowing. He’s telling me how much he loves kids and what a great uncle he is.
I…” She drained her glass and licked her lips.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud.
I kissed him good night. That might seem like nothing to you guys, but I haven’t…
touched anybody since my husband. It meant something to me.
” Tears glistened, and she blinked furiously. “Oh, dammit.”
Finlay’s heart hurt for her friend. Bailing on a wedding was nothing compared to losing the father of your newborn baby.
“What happened?” Ava asked quietly.
“I mean, it was a good kiss, but it wasn’t easy for me to do, you know?
I wrestled with it, trying to convince myself it was okay to love again, that it’s what my husband would’ve wanted.
I reminded myself that my baby needs a dad…
” She reached for a napkin and dabbed her eyes.
“I knew I wasn’t going to fall asleep, so I went to the boutique’s Splashagram page to see the comments about the opening, and guess who’s all over it? ”
Dread snaked through her. “Your date?”
Eloise nodded. “Who just happens to be Fredericka’s husband.”
“That’s the family business?” Willa asked.
“Yep. Apparently, she comes from serious money, and he’s just along for the ride. They gave him the title of CEO.”
“But he’s really the president of pussy?” Willa asked.
“The CEO of sneaky links?” Ava said, laughing.
“The boss of booty calls?” Finlay added, though really, her heart ached for her friend’s grief. “I’m sorry, honey.”
“Yeah, well. Let’s just say lesson learned. I’m not ready to date, and the only thing that matters is my baby. The worst thing I can do is crash out over some guy. I’m going to focus on what matters—growing my business and being a good mom. That’s more than enough.”
“It’s absolutely enough,” Ava said.
“Ugh, look at me,” Eloise said. “I’m supposed to be the designated driver, and I’m drunk.”
“Don’t you worry about it. We’ve got this.” Finlay knew Wild Billy’s had a Safe Ride Home program. She’d ask the server about it when they got the next round.
Turned out, she didn’t need to do that because, minutes later, Wyatt and Boone strode over, parting the crowd like movie stars with their intensely masculine swagger.
There was something so deliciously naughty about these men.
Sure, they were gorgeous and fit, but it was their don’t-give-a-damn attitude that captured everyone’s attention.
They were so self-contained, like they didn’t need anybody but each other, and people couldn’t help wanting to break into the inner circle. Of course, few ever made it, but what a validation it was to be included if you were deemed cool enough.
“Looks like you ladies need rides home.” Boone flashed his signature smile to Eloise that let her know all the dirty ways he’d used women.
It had the intended effect because she gave him a disgusted look. He was, after all, the reason her husband had become a hotshot.
“Oh no, I’m fine. I can call a cab.” The moment Ava stood, she swayed, grabbing for the table.
Wyatt got a grip on her arm and pulled her chair out farther. “I got you.” Before he led her off, he said, “Stay put. Someone’s coming for you two.”
“That’s okay,” Willa said. “We’re right across the street.”
Jude appeared, his tall form looming over the table. “I’ve got them.”
Her sharp intake of breath at the sight of him sounded like an explosion in her ears. She was certain the entire bar heard her reaction to this hot, sexy man. “No need.” Finlay’s tone came out a little haughtier than intended. “We’re staying at the inn.”
“Good,” he said. “Then it’ll be quick, and I can get back to work.”
“We can walk ourselves across the town square.” Oof. Do you have to sound like a prim schoolmarm?
“It’s ski season,” he said. “The town’s full of assholes looking for trouble. I’m walking with you.”
They heard a shriek and turned to see Eloise flying into the air and flopping over Boone’s shoulder. As he carried her off, she said, “I hate you.”
“Yeah, keep it that way.” Without a glance back, the youngest McKenna hauled their friend out of the bar.
She gazed up at Jude. What was that about?
Instead of answering, he had a grip on both their arms. That turned out to be a good idea, since she found it harder to walk in a straight line than she’d expected. In fact, her brain was floating in a sea of alcohol. “How much did I drink?” she asked, mostly to herself.
“You had three cocktails,” Jude said.
How did he know that? “Yeah, but they’re mostly fruit.”
“And coconut rum.”
He didn’t know about the wine coolers. “I like rum.” She tried to make an “mmm” sound—like something was tasty. Instead, it came out sounding suggestive. As if she’d said, “I like it doggy style.”
“You just like the fruit juice.”
“I do.” She grinned, mostly happy that he couldn’t hear her thoughts about him taking her from behind as he led her across the crowded bar.
Jude pushed the door open, and they stepped outside.
Ice-cold air stung her cheeks and made her eyes water, and she moved behind Jude’s big, solid body. She pressed her face to his back and couldn’t resist squeezing his biceps. “You’re such a manly man.”
Thankfully, he ignored her, stepping off the curb and heading across the street. Instead of going through the park, he guided them on the sidewalk that framed it.
You really need to shut your mouth.
No, but literally, don’t say another word.
Except her brain was bobbing like a scoop of sherbet in a punch bowl, and she kept losing her train of thought. “Do you still bang all the girls? You know, like you did in high school?”
“Shh, Fee,” Willa said. “No talking.”
“I saw your butt once.” She giggled.