much as I want her?
She spins in my arms and tips her head back to look at me. “I’ve told you already. What you have to give isn’t what I’m looking for.”
“You won’t know unless you give it a try.”
She releases a tired breath and moves her eyes to my chest. Her fingers fiddle with one of the buttons of my shirt.
“That’s just it, Enzo. I do know. I know your kind. And quite frankly, even if we did attempt to see where this leads, I’ve had shitty luck with men and no longer trust my judgement.”
Frustration builds inside me. I’ve never been the type to chase a woman, and I’ve certainly never been desperate enough to beg. I damn sure won’t start now.
I release her and drop my arms to my sides. For a split second, something like regret flashes on her face before it’s gone. She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. They flicker back and forth between mine before she takes a deep breath and walks away. My chest grows tight as I watch her go back to the corner where our group has commandeered a table.
A woman walks up to me and asks for a dance, but I politely decline. After a few seconds, where I probably look like a fool standing on the dance floor alone, I go over to the table. I opt to go to the other side where she’s not standing. James is pressed to Juliet’s back, looking over her shoulder as she shows him something on her phone. They both laugh. Grabbing one of the shot glasses I saw him bring back to the table, I toss it back, relishing the burn as it goes down my throat.
“Holy shit, if it isn’t Enzo and James.”
I look up as an old friend, Grant Malone, stops at our table, Emerson, the owner of Wings Out, by his side.
I grin as I hold out my hand. “Grant Malone. Damn, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”
“Good.” He claps my hand then does the same to James. “When Em told me who her clients were today, I couldn’t believe it. The rock star god, Enzo Bishop, coming back to little ol’ Sunnyville.” He looks to James, his eyes briefly sliding to Juliet. “And you? Getting married? Never thought I’d see the day.”
James laughs and looks down at his hand holding Emerson’s, and the rock on her finger. “Looks like I’m not the only one who took the plunge.”
His smile turns prideful as he tugs Emerson closer to his side. “Best decision she ever made.”
Emerson laughs and playfully slaps his stomach. “That’s still up for debate.”
Grant chuckles and kisses the top of her head.
“Juliet, meet an old friend of mine and Enzo’s. Grant, this is Juliet and her two best friends, Alaina and Nikki.”
He smiles and nods. “Nice to meet you ladies.” His eyes lock on Juliet’s. “If you ever need any embarrassing stories about these two, come find me.”
She flashes him a grin. “I may just take you up on that.”
“How are your brothers doing?” I ask.
“Good. Gray’s a rescue pilot and Grady’s a firefighter. Both are now married. Gray has a son. Emerson and I have a daughter.”
“No shit?” I say, not altogether surprised. Out of the three brothers, I figured Grant would be the first to start a family.
“And let me guess. You became a cop?” James inquires.
He nods. “You know it.”
Emerson breaks away from Grant and walks around the table to where the other women are standing. James, Grant, and I spend a few more minutes catching up, but my eyes keep straying to Alaina, watching her laugh and interact with the women. I could spend hours observing her and never get tired.
“When’s the wedding?” Grant asks, pulling my thoughts away from Alaina.
“Next weekend.”
“I’m offended I never got an invite.” Grant’s eyes hold a playful glint.
“You and Emerson are more than welcome to attend. And that goes for Grayson and Grady, along with their families.”
“I’ll let them know.”
After he and Emerson leave, Alaina, Juliet, and Nikki go back out to the dance floor, leaving me and James to watch like pathetic fools. Luckily, this time they dance with at least a foot between them. I’m not sure my brain could handle watching them grind on each other again. And from the sigh that comes from James, he feels the same.
“You know you’re fucked, right?” he asks, slamming back one of the lukewarm shots.
I grind my molars, because