Chapter 21
. . .
Drew
“Ikissed him,” I announce, dumping myself down on a barstool in front of Vesper.
Her jaw hangs open, and she lifts a finger at me before handing change to a customer and locking in on our conversation.
As always, she looks incredible. Tonight, she’s wearing a dark blue bodycon dress and high-top white Converse. Teamed with her trademark red lipstick and nails, she looks like the American dream.
“You tell me this like it should land as a surprise.”
“Wait, what?” I panic. “Someone already told you about the kiss?”
She chuckles and leans on the bar. “No, silly. I’m saying that it was obvious you liked him just from our previous conversation. It was only a matter of time before something physical happened. What was he like?”
I roll my lips together, certain I can still taste him nearly a week after the kiss. “Incredible.”
When Vesper winks, I pick up the cocktail menu, and she takes it from my hands.
“Manhattan?” she asks, already adding whiskey to a shaker.
“Sounds perfect,” I croon, grateful to have shared my secret with someone.
I’ve always enjoyed watching bartenders mix cocktails, and Vesper is particularly skilled, throwing the shaker behind her back. It somersaults over her head, and she catches it in front of her.
“Did you just stop by tonight to update me on your sordid love affair or snag another free drink?”
I twist my lips to the side, and she pours the cocktail into a glass before sliding it into my hand.
“Both, but also neither,” I reply, taking my first sip and letting the whiskey warm me from the inside. Seattle in November is freezing, and I stupidly wore a skirt and no tights to work today. “I actually could use some advice if you have the time?”
Vesper’s gaze roves the relatively empty bar area.
“As you can see, I’m slammed. But shoot, and I’ll try and help you.
” She points at the cocktail and then me.
“In return, I’ll need you to stick around for a second drink to help alleviate the boredom of tonight’s shift. Thursdays are always slow-going.”
I lift my glass and nod. “Girl, you just got yourself a deal, although I’m limiting myself to two because I have an early flight in the morning.”
Intrigue overtakes her face. “Don’t tell me he’s taking you on a mini vacation somewhere already.”
I snort a laugh and briefly consider what it would be like to go away somewhere with Will. Like me, I know he enjoys traveling to Europe, although he’d probably make me go on hikes or adrenaline-fueled adventures involving quad bikes and bungee jumping.
I, on the other hand, would happily settle for a good book and a lounge chair.
“No, we aren’t going on a vacation. In fact, it’s a business trip to Brooklyn. I’m accompanying Will on an away series. He has a big sponsorship meeting while he’s in town.”
Vesper looks impressed. “Nice. So, you won’t be sharing a hotel room then?”
I squeeze my thighs together. “Absolutely not. Will is staying in the team’s hotel and rooming with Silas.”
At the mention of his name, she looks away, a flash of discomfort in her eyes.
I take another sip of cocktail, the alcohol already loosening my tongue. “Can I ask you something?”
I’m met with a side-eye. “If it’s about the Rogues captain, then no. Nothing good can come of me talking about him.”
If her aim was to suppress my curiosity, then she’s only succeeded in piquing it.
“Is there … history between you and Silas?”
Vesper bursts out laughing. “What?! As in a romantic history? Hell no! Like I told you before, I’m dating his brother—have been for a while. Silas is a unique character, and he and my boyfriend don’t always see eye to eye.”
I’d buy her story if it wasn’t accompanied with a crimson flush across her cheeks. That said, Vesper doesn’t strike me as the type of girl who would get involved with another guy while still seeing someone else, and especially not his brother.
She’s too straightforward for that shit.
“You know I’m here if you ever want to talk about things, right?” I lift my eyes from the cocktail glass to the gorgeous girl standing in front of me.
I hope she can read between the lines and decipher that I’m not only referring to Silas, but also the boyfriend who doesn’t give me great vibes. I’ve never met him, but from my brief interactions with Silas, I feel like he is a good judge of character—case in point: he doesn’t like Lydia.
“I know, and I appreciate that.”
Another Manhattan slides alongside my half-full glass when I feel a vibration in my shoulder bag.
Reaching inside, I pull out my cell and pause when I see Kate’s name on the screen.
What does she want?
Kate
Hey, girl. So, a little birdie told me you’re heading to Brooklyn tomorrow night with the team.
What are your plans after the meeting with Repeet?
It feels only right that we invite you and your dad to a night hosted by the Jones family.
Sometimes, a good charcuterie board is the only appropriate remedy for working with my son. He can be a handful, I know.
On Saturday night, we’re going to have dinner at the Japanese restaurant Will hasn’t stopped talking about.
That said, how am I supposed to tell her that without it sounding like a date?
Or maybe I’m reading way too much into this.
We could be going out for a business meal to decompress after the meeting.
Hitting Reply, I begin typing out a response and then delete it. I begin typing again when another message lands from Kate.
Kate
And if you’re wondering about the Japanese meal Will booked for you both, he said he’ll just treat you when you get back to Seattle. My advice would be to take him for all he’s worth. He’s got more money than sense, that boy.
I chuckle and breathe a sigh of relief that she already knows about the meal.
Me
I assume he told you about his latest car.
Kate
The Ferrari? Yes. That money was supposed to be invested and not wasted on a supercar he absolutely does not need, but there’s no telling Will sometimes.
Like mother, like son.
Me
Did you say my dad was invited too?
Kate
Yep, he just replied actually. He can stop by for an hour, but then has to work. Can you make it? I’d love to see you, and I know June misses you. Oh, and I have your belated twenty-first birthday gift here, so I can give you that too. I was nervous to mail it.
Me
OMG, you didn’t have to buy me a gift! But thank you. Sure, I can make it.
Kate
Drew, you’re like family to me and Jensen. There’s no way we’re not marking the biggest birthday with something nice—and sparkly.
I stare down at Kate’s last message.
Family.
She sees me as family because that’s what I’ve always been to them. Meanwhile, each night, I’m running the batteries down on the pink wand hiding in my dresser drawer because I can’t stop thinking about her son.
I almost throw my phone across the bar when a message drops down from Will.
Will
Miss me?
Me
I was just texting with your mom.
Will
I know. I was texting her at the same time. Given she’s hosting one of her special dinner parties, I think it would be best if we stayed in the same hotel. For ease.
Me
What does a dinner party at your parents’ house have to do with where I sleep that night?
Will
It will likely go on until late, and if we both stay at the same place, then there’s no messing around with multiple stops.
Me
I’m not staying in the same hotel as you.
Will
Why?
Me
You know why. It’s too risky.
Will
What if I promise to be a good boy and walk you to your room at the end of the night?
Me
I expected that as the bare minimum. My dad—aka your coach—will be staying there too.
Will
Your dad is my coach? You should’ve said.
Me
Don’t get smart with me, William.
Will
So, that’s a yes to staying in the same hotel? I’ll call the reservations line now and book you a suite.
Me
First Line handles all the bookings.
Will
And you don’t think it’ll look a bit weird to them when you switch hotels?
Shit. True.
Me
Okay. But ONLY because it’s more convenient. And I don’t need a suite; a double will do just fine.
Will
Too late. I just booked the honeymoon suite.
Me
TELL ME YOU DIDN’T.
WILL.
WILLIAM JONES. RESPOND IMMEDIATELY.
Will
This is me, asking for your forgiveness.
Me
Rule eleven: Moving forward, the client is prohibited from booking accommodations on the publicist’s behalf because he clearly cannot be trusted.
Will
Duly noted.
P.S. There will be a fruit basket and Dom Pérignon waiting for you on arrival. See you bright and early at the airport.