Chapter 37
Samantha
“Hey!” I close my eyes as Lennon hugs me, her long auburn hair tickling my nose. “It’s so good to see you.”
She pulls back and lets Sloane hug me, too. “We figured if you can’t go out for a girl’s night, we’d come to you.”
The happiness is almost dizzying. “You have no idea how much I appreciate it and need it.”
Sloane signals to Scarlett, who nods and gives me a wink.
I take a seat beside them and am faced with huge grins. “So,” Lennon’s brows raise. “You and my brother, huh? We haven’t got a chance to talk about that.”
I moan and cover my face, which has them both laughing.
Lennon squeezes my knee. “I’m just getting to know him, too, but I think you guys are good for each other. I know he’s super protective of you and Rona.”
“Yeah.” Guilt dulls some of my happiness. “I don’t think I could forgive myself if anything happened to him because of me. There’s no telling him that, though. Stubborn Irish.” I wince. “No offense.”
“No offense taken.” Lennon waves me off, her huge wedding ring catching the light. “I didn’t even know I was Irish until I met Mac. Though, I guess the auburn hair and green eyes should’ve been a clue.” She moves her elbow as Scarlett sets three margaritas down on the bar in front of us.
“Enjoy, ladies.”
Lennon lifts one of the glasses rimmed in salt. “Well, for tonight, we’re just three friends out for a night on the town.”
“Cheers,” we say, clinking our glasses.
I sip mine and we catch up. I’ll only have one drink tonight, so I can stay alert for any threats. But I find myself relaxing just from being with them. So, this is what having friends feels like? At one point, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and tear up.
Lennon notices immediately. She squeezes my hand. “You okay?”
I nod and dab a napkin under my eyes. “I really am. Just… happy you guys are here.”
She gives me a soft smile. “Whatever you need. You just have to ask.”
Just then, a waitress from the upstairs dining room appears with a tray full of food. She slips the plates on the bar in front of us with a friendly smirk. “Boss says to eat.”
We all look up at the camera in the corner.
“Has he been watching you this whole time?” Sloane snorts.
Lennon shakes her head and gives me a knowing look. “Stick a fork in my brother, he’s done.”
Sloane sighs wistfully as she dips a cracker in melted cheese. “So romantic. You two make me sick.”
We laugh and Lennon says, “Don’t worry. You’ll find your Mr. Right one day.”
“Honestly, I’d settle for Mr. Wrong with a big dick that he knows how to use.”
“Setting the bar low, huh?” I ask around a bite of cheese and strawberry.
She shrugs. “You know what they say, ‘Better to be pleasantly surprised than sorely disappointed.’”
“God, that’s jaded,” Lennon chastises. “You can’t settle.”
Her grin widens. “I’d settle for being sore.”
We groan and shake our heads. But as I shift on the chair, feeling the ache between my legs from Killian’s very thorough attention last night, I can’t help but secretly agree with her.