Extension #2
“You’ve got all the good ones.” Hope laughs. “But sure, I could use a setup.”
We all start discussing guys we know outside of ours.
“Drew has a friend that’s a chef.” I lean back. “He’s gorgeous and can cook. I don’t know his situation though. Might be a bit of a player like Drew was.”
Hope’s blue eyes go round and she gives a little shiver. “I don’t know if I could handle someone like Drew.”
“I only met him the one time, but his dessert was the best thing I’ve ever had.” I release my breath. That night was an amazing date. I’m looking forward to more amazing dates with my guys.
“How did your mom take you landing not one billionaire, but four?” Madison asks with a smirk.
“Surprisingly well.” I rub my thumb over the condensation on my glass. “She’s known all of them except Drew since they were kids. Practically raised them. So she wasn’t surprised I was dating one of them, but all of them? I don’t think it’s quite hit her yet what that means.”
“Are you keeping the house?” Hope asks.
I smile. “For now. We need to figure out how to live together. Drew wasn’t part of their friendship growing up.
Wyatt, Dante, and Finn have lived together since high school.
They know each other’s quirks, but they’ve never shared a girlfriend before.
None of them have actually had a girlfriend before me. ”
I’m still amazed any of this is happening.
Madison places her hand over mine. “It’s not easy to make a grand entrance with four men on your arms. There will be a lot of jealous women and men who think things they shouldn’t about you.
But with their love, it’s easier. Just remember, no one else gets to take this from you.
You are loved. You have friends who love you too. ”
I look at the women around me nodding and release my earlier stress. These women are true friends. They don’t have an agenda to stay my friend or to hurt me or to steal anything from me. We just want to build a future together.
Hope
It’s getting late when Juliette leaves with Kayla and Nan. We exchanged phone numbers after realizing we liked the same books. It makes me think about my life a year ago.
The bitchy women at the company turned their noses up at me.
I didn’t dress like them or want to pick apart other women with them. Most likely I was the one they were picking apart. But then Madison came to work at Morrigan. She’s gorgeous but so fucking nice.
Sara, Madison, and I finish our drinks.
Sara touches the back of my hand.
“If you want, I can ask Drew about Owen, or we can get a reservation at his restaurant. That way you can see if you even want me to ask about him.” Sara’s face is open and genuine.
“Maybe we can do the reservation.” I smile, not hopeful about making a connection. “Especially if the food is as good as you say it is.”
Sara’s gaze glazes over. “So good.”
“We could make a girls’ night of it.” Madison glances at her phone. “If I’m right, my man should be walking through those doors to collect me in five, four, three...”
We all turn to look at the doors as Cooper comes in. He zeros in on Madison and his smile is everything I don’t dare to hope for. Dreams are one thing, but guys like Cooper Graham and Dante Stone are not the guys who tend to go for a girl like me.
When Cooper walks across the room, it’s like the whole bar pays attention to him. He reaches Madison and slides his hand over her shoulder.
“Time to go, sweetheart.”
Madison smiles and grabs her purse off the bar. She glances at Sara. “We’ll talk this week.”
Sara nods.
Before Madison can turn to me—
“Coop!” A booming voice captures everyone’s attention.
Heath Duncan joins them and claps Coop on the back. “I thought that was your woman.”
Coop gives Heath a smug smile. “You’ll have to excuse us. We’re late for a meeting.”
Madison’s face flushes but she turns to hug me and then Sara before she heads out with Coop.
Heath turns to us. “Sara and Hope, right?”
His blue eyes twinkle when they meet mine.
Dante touches Sara’s shoulder. “You ready, pip?”
Heath holds out his hand to Dante. “It’s been a pleasure talking to you.”
They shake.
“I’ll call you Monday to set up that meeting.” Dante nods as Sara moves to his side. She stops and gives me a hug.
“I’ll make us some dinner reservations,” she says against my ear. When she pulls back, she searches my eyes. “You want a ride home or for us to walk you out?”
I shake my head and glance at Jason. “No, I want to talk to my brother and I might help him close things up.”
Sara smiles. “Talk soon.”
Dante finishes his conversation with Heath and takes Sara’s hand as they walk away.
Heath’s gaze flicks to mine. I have no idea what to say to this man.
I turn back to the bar.
“Mind if I sit for a moment, love?” Heath takes hold of the chair next to me and sits before I can say yes or no.
“Uh, sure.” I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“You must be proud of your brother.”
I glance over at Heath and follow his line of sight to Jason. “Of course I am.”
Heath turns and his attention locks on me. He’s an attractive man. He obviously works out. The scent of leather and man surrounds me. I can only take it for a moment before looking down at my glass.
“This bar. His amazing boxing career.” Heath rubs the side of his lip. “It’s a shame he had to stop boxing.”
My gaze jerks up to his. “It’s a dangerous sport. He has issues because of his time in the ring.”
Heath smiles. “You do have a little spark in you. I appreciate a woman with spark.”
My cheeks flush and I look away. Jason comes over.
“Did you need anything else, Mr. Duncan?” Jason doesn’t look happy Heath is talking to me at all.
“I thought I should get to know your sister a little better. After all, I’m a huge fan of your father’s.” Heath leans back and tips the rest of his drink into his mouth. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll steal her away from Morrigan Technology.”
I swallow and glance at him, wondering if he’s joking, but his gaze is on Jason.
“That won’t be necessary.” Jason nods at me. “Why don’t you head up to my apartment, Hope? You can watch something while you wait for me to see you home.”
I glance at Heath and know my brother is extracting me from this weird conversation. I nod and slide off my chair. When I stumble a little, Heath wraps his hand around my arm to steady me. Sparks ignite beneath his touch and I jerk my gaze up to his.
“Easy, love.” He releases me and I scurry away.