CHAPTER 22
BELLA
Leaning back in my chair, I groan and clutch my stomach. “I can’t remember the last time I ate this much food.”
Liv lets out her own groan as she inhales a chicken wing. “I can’t remember the last time I ate food this hot,” she mumbles around a mouthful.
Savannah chuckles, a tired Crue sitting on her lap, his head resting against her chest as she rocks him back and forth.
Reign and Juliet sit off to the side, a pile of daisies on the ground in front of them as they make their daisy chains.
Mrs Calloway and Daisy are deep in conversation about all thing's babies and all six of the men are standing around the grill. Mr Calloway is wearing another one of his outrageous aprons that I know Noah is responsible for. Grayson is cradling his son against his chest, and my brother is having what looks like a work-related conversation with Jaxon. Noah, on the other hand is cradling a beer and pretending to listen to Hunter while sneaking glances at me over his brother’s shoulder.
I know this because, I too, have been sneaking glances.
“He’s looking at you the same way Liv is looking at that chicken wing, you know,” Savannah says, and I almost choke on my own saliva.
A loud, very unladylike cackle escapes when I glance at Liv and she gazes longingly at the last wing on her plate before she takes a bite out of it.
“Oh my God,” I snort, as I look back at Savannah and then quickly to Noah, who is now looking at me in confusion.
“Seriously,” Sav says. “I’ve been watching him most of the night. He doesn’t let you out of his sight.”
Rolling my eyes, I lift my wine glass. “I haven’t noticed.”
She scoffs. “Sure, you haven’t.”
I guzzle the fruity liquid, hoping she’ll lose interest in this conversation.
Unfortunately, she does not.
“Are you sleeping with him?”
My eyes widen, head swinging in her direction. She holds her hands up in surrender. “Okay. Not sleeping with him.” Green eyes narrow at me. “But you want to.”
I feel the heat creep into my cheeks and avert my eyes. If only she knew.
“I’ve only just gotten out of a two-year relationship,” I reply, not denying it.
Savannah shrugs. “And?”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit soon?”
She leans in closer, her voice low. “He cheated on you, didn’t he?”
I swallow thickly and nod. Obviously, that isn’t the only thing Justin done to me, but I’d rather them know that than have to explain what happened when I tried to leave.
“Do you still love him?” She asks, slurring ever so slightly. I’m unsure if it’s because she’s halfway to tipsy or not, but there’s not a hint of pity in her eyes and in this moment, I’m so very grateful for that.
My answer is immediate. “No. I’m not sure I ever did.”
“Then no. It’s not too soon.” She lifts her wine glass to her lips and shrugs one shoulder. “Why not live life on the wild side and sleep with your brother’s best friend.” She wiggles her eyebrows over the rim of her glass as she drinks and I laugh.
My head is beginning to feel a little fuzzy, my insides warming with the alcohol I’ve consumed, and I relax into my seat, deciding to be honest with her. “I don’t want to make the first move.”
“So don’t,” Liv pipes up from beside Savannah. I hadn’t thought she’d been listening but clearly, she had.
“Oooh. I like your thinking,” Savannah points her glass at Liv and I frown. I don’t know if it’s a British thing, but I swear these two are telepathic.
“What?” I lean in, swaying slightly.
“Seduce him,” Liv whispers suggestively.
I sigh, flopping backward again and wave a hand dismissively. “Tried that. He’s unbreakable.”
Savannah’s eyes widen but Liv shakes her head. “You’re obviously not doing it right.”
I blink at her. Not doing it right? I don’t know what else I could possibly do short of jumping the man. “Liv, the man listened to me get myself off earlier today. I’m telling you, he’s unbreakable.”
“Who’s unbreakable?” My brothers voice comes from beside me and I snap my mouth shut, all the blood draining from my face.
“Oh, no one. Just a customer from the café,” Liv answers without missing a beat and thankfully, Killian accepts that.
I look up at him through glassy eyes, hoping I don’t look guilty of attempting to seduce his friend. “What’s up?”
“I was just coming to tell you we’re heading out. Do you need a ride home?”
“Oh,” I squeak. “Uhh…”
“She’s staying at our house,” Savannah hiccups, shaking her empty glass at him. “We’re not done drinking yet.”
Killian chuckles as Daisy comes to stand next to him. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she tells me and I nod, my guilty conscience rearing its ugly head.
The two of them say their goodbyes and call out for Juliet, who collect her daisy chains before running after them and then they’re gone.
I sink back into my chair. “I hate lying to him.”
“He’ll get over it,” Liv says.
My eyes find Noah’s across the firepit and the smile he sends my way makes my stomach flutter. “I’m not so sure he will.”
Noah must see something on my face because his brows dip and he says something to his brothers and then he’s making his way toward me.
“Oh, here he comes,” Savannah whisper-shouts and I grimace as Noah laughs.
“I heard that,” he says to his sister-in-law while keeping his attention on me. “You ready to go?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Noah holds out a hand for me and I take it, allowing him to pull me out of the chair. I stumble forward and he catches me, chuckling. “Woah, now.”
“They’ve had a little too much to drink,” Liv states the obvious and I glare at her. At least, I think it’s a glare, but it might have been more of a wince.
“I can see that. C’mon, babybell.” He keeps my hand firmly in his as he guides me out of the circle of chairs, but Liv reaches for me, stopping us as we pass. She tugs at my hand, and I lean down so that she can whisper in my ear.
“Next time, let him watch.”