Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family #2) -Carly Phillips Page 0,37

face. “Yeah. I’m good.”

“Okay then.” She smiled. “Were you serious about going out for dinner?”

“Yes.” He’d have Ronnie make them a reservation. “Definitely.”

“Then would you mind if I went back to the loft to pull myself together? I can meet you at the restaurant if it’s easier.”

His gaze slid over her outfit, skinny black jeans with a white men’s shirt that shouldn’t look hot on her but did. And with her wavy hair pulled away from her face, he remembered what she’d looked like last night, his cock hard inside her, her soft body beneath his.

He cleared his throat. “I’ll come pick you up. Don’t worry about it. I had plans to have a quick drink with my brothers around six. Is eight o’clock too late?”

She shook her head. “Not at all.” She closed her laptop and gathered her things. “I’ll call an Uber.”

“Let me call you a car,” he said at the same time.

She laughed, her mood still obviously light. “I can get my own ride but thanks. See you tonight.”

She bounced out of the room and he watched her go, hair swinging behind her. His dick was hard in his pants, and his brain was on overdrive, confusion about what to do with his mixed feelings for her swirling in his head. Hence the drinks with his brothers. They knew nothing about meeting him, but he’d call them now. Because he needed them to help him sort his shit.

He glanced at the table and caught sight of papers Chloe had left there. He stepped forward to grab them to give them to her later when he saw the top page.

Realty listings.

Chloe was looking to move out.

* * *

For the rest of the day, Beck felt the gut punch of Chloe wanting to leave, which made no sense to him when he was actively keeping her at a distance. Luckily his brothers were more than willing to meet up after work, and at six p.m., he walked into Club TEN29, an upscale nightclub not far from his loft that was also open for drinks after work.

Beck had met the three owners when he’d rented them the building on property he owned. The men had made a huge success of their business since they’d opened four years ago, and Beck respected them for it. He spent time here with friends or his siblings when he wanted to relax early in the evening or make a night of it later on.

Since he wanted to talk to Tripp and Drew, he chose a table instead of a seat at the bar and waited for them to join him. He looked at the glass taking up the entire back wall that was lined with liquor bottles, admiring the view.

“Hey.” Jason Dare, one of the club owners, strode over. He owned the club with two of his fraternity brothers, Tanner Grayson and Landon Bennett, and had named it in honor of Landon’s brother, who died years ago during a frat hazing gone wrong.

“Hey, Beck. It’s been awhile. How’ve you been?” Jason asked, walking up to him.

“Busy as usual. You?”

Jason shrugged. “The same. Except…” He paused, a grin on his face, making Beck curious.

“Except what?”

“My wife is pregnant,” Jason said, obviously just waiting for the opening to share the news.

Beck rose from his seat and slapped the other man on the back. “That’s great! Congratulations!”

Jason nodded. “So can I buy you”—he glanced over Beck’s shoulder—“and your brothers a drink to celebrate? I’m feeling generous these days.”

Beck chuckled because he and the guys always argued over Beck’s need to pay, which was ridiculous. He was their landlord and friend, but he ought to pay as much as anyone else who frequented the bar.

Tripp and Drew had joined them at the tail end of the conversation.

“His wife is pregnant,” Beck explained to his siblings.

“Congratulations,” Tripp and Drew said at the same time.

“Thank you. Now, what can I get for you? Your usual Macallan?” Jason asked.

“That’d be great. And give that beautiful wife of yours my best,” Beck said.

“Same from us.” Tripp spoke for himself and Drew.

The guys settled into chairs and Beck sat back down. He and his brothers played catch-up about each other’s work for a few minutes, until a cocktail waitress brought over a bottle of scotch and glasses.

“Mr. Dare said to enjoy. He had to handle something but said he’ll see you later.” She served them and walked away, leaving them alone again.

“Now that we have fortification…” Tripp said, “what’s going on? I’m guessing