hanging.”
What? “Did she say something to you?” Brenna was a straightforward woman, it was one of her top ten qualities, and I was sure, relatively sure, that she would come to me directly if she had a problem with me.
“No, of course not,” she said dismissively. “You know that’s not Brenna’s style. I’m here in a professional capacity.” She gave me a haughty look. “How was the date?”
“It was fine. We had a good time, a very good time.”
Eva huffed out a laugh and shook her head. “That’s exactly what she said.” And apparently it wasn’t an acceptable answer, because she leaned over my desk, glaring at me until she had my full attention. “So why haven’t you or Brenna set up a second date?”
That was a good question, and one I had no answer to. “I don’t know. Maybe we’ve both been busy with work, Eva, I can’t really say.”
“You can’t or you won’t?” One black brow arched in question.
I sighed and fell back against the plush desk chair. “I don’t know, Eva. I really can’t say.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well I’m not in the habit of proving myself when I don’t have to, so is there anything else?”
“Nothing at the moment,” she said and stared at me for a long moment, and I stared back to let the little spitfire know that she couldn’t intimidate me. “I’ll be talking to you soon, Grant. Real soon.” She marched off and I stayed in my seat until the sound of her angry footsteps faded into nothingness.
“Is it safe?” Liam stuck his head in my office, a crooked grin on his face.
“Safer than it was a few minutes ago. Coward.”
Liam shrugged. “Not a coward, just a man with a strong sense of survival. What did you do to piss her off, anyway?”
“Apparently Brenna and I aren’t moving fast enough for the Time for Love ladies and they’re desperate to know why.” I did have a good reason for not asking Brenna out again, but it was none of their business.
“Why are you dragging your feet?” Liam held up his hands in a defensive posture when I glared at him. “I’m not asking for Olive, just my own curiosity.”
“Don’t know. I’ve been busy, and she runs her own business. Time is limited, I guess.”
“Bull. You’re lying and I can’t figure out why.”
“Why what?” Miles appeared in the doorway, a harried smile on his face.
“Why Grant is dragging ass to get a second date with Brenna.”
Miles perked right up at that news and strode inside, taking the seat beside Liam. “Why?”
“Says their both busy,” Liam answered for me. “I think that’s crap.”
“Definitely crap,” Miles agreed. “I think he’s scared.”
“I’m not scared,” I growled at them. “And I’m also sitting right here! So stop talking about me like I’m not in the room.”
They snickered like little girls, and I rolled my eyes. “If you’re not scared, what is it then? Is she a bad kisser?” Liam asked, laughing.
“Oh shit, maybe you’re a bad kisser, and that’s why she isn’t itching for a second date.”
I thought about those kisses, on her mouth and all over the rest of her, and that definitely wasn’t the reason neither of us had pulled the trigger. But what was Brenna’s reason?
“Well, it wasn’t bad kisses based on that look,” Liam said with another laugh.
“Did either of you need something?” If I let them continue to speculate, they would eventually get the truth out of me and I wasn’t ready to share.
“Nope, I just came to see what you did to piss off Eva.”
“I need something,” Miles’ smile was wide, but there was suddenly tension in his shoulders. “From both of you.”
Liam and I groaned simultaneously. “What is it?”
“Nothing big, just my engagement party. I need some help.”
“Help?” Liam and I spoke at the same time. “What kind of help? Because I don’t do balloons or streams or whatever.”
Miles barked out a laugh. “We’re two adults starting a family, there won’t be any balloons, Liam. At least, I don’t think so.” He sighed. “Honestly I have no clue what the hell goes into planning an engagement party, but Shannon wants one, and she’s too pregnant to do it all on her own.”
“Been there,” Liam grumbled. “Still living it every damn day.”
“Maybe stop getting your wife pregnant every ten months?” He rewarded me with a middle finger of friendship.
“Maybe stop being afraid to call a pretty woman, and then I’ll take relationship advice from you.”
Ouch. “So Miles, about this party?”
Liam snickered.
Miles glared