Bad Engagement (Billionaire's Club #10) - Elise Faber Page 0,53

Heidi said with a nod that made her look like a bobblehead. “Got it.”

“I love you, baby!” Kels slurred, leaning heavily against him and throwing her arms around his neck. He stumbled a step, shook his head again, and finished buckling Cora in.

Then he turned to Kelsey and held her close.

Aw.

He rubbed his nose against hers, said, albeit quieter than Kels’s blurt, “I love you, too.”

Double aw.

Aware she was staring with more than a little jealousy, Kate forced herself to look away.

She snagged Heidi’s arm, led her around to the other side of the car, and got her buckled in. “Night, bestie,” she said, hugging her quickly. “Thanks for being a good friend.”

“Hey!” Cora said, pouting.

Kate sighed then unable to stifle her giggle at the comical appearance of her friend’s mock-glower. “Goodnight, other bestie. I love you.”

Cora blew her a kiss. “Love you, too.”

There was a tap on her shoulder, and Kate sighed again, thinking she was about to declare her third bestie of the evening.

Instead, Kels hugged her tight. “Love you.”

She squeezed her friend back. “I love you.”

A grin and before she could say goodnight, Kelsey gripped her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes, looking suddenly lucid for all she’d been a slurring, stumbling female just seconds before. “Take the chance, Katie. Leap even though you’re terrified.”

Kate’s heart stuttered. Her throat went tight.

But she found the strength to say, “I think I will, Kels. I think I have to.”

A confident smile from her friend.

“Yes, babe. You do.”

“Not to break up the tender moment,” Tanner said gently, though his eyes were soft. “But I’d better get Goofy and Goofier home while my seats are still safe.”

Kate snorted and stepped back so he could urge Kels into the seat, buckle the belt. “Good luck with that,” she teased. “But I think your race against the clock is going to be getting Kels home before she falls asleep.”

“Good thing I like her unconscious,” he teased.

Another snort, this time paired with Kelsey’s outraged gasp. Of course, her outrage was diminished by the amusement dancing across her eyes. “I promise I won’t fall asleep this time.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tanner grumbled. “I’ve heard it all before.”

But his gaze was warm, and he wrapped his jacket around Kels before carefully shutting the door. Then he turned to Kate, met her stare, and said, “For the record, I second her statement.” He brushed his fingers over her jaw and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Do it, Kate. Leap and trust that he’ll catch you.”

“You haven’t met him,” she whispered.

“But Kels has,” he said. “And she’s the smartest person I’ve ever met.” He stepped back, glanced through the window, and smiled ruefully at his woman who was already passed out asleep in the passenger’s seat. “I’d bet on her logic, any day of the week.”

Kate just nodded.

Because she agreed with him.

Kelsey’s logic. Heidi’s fire and spunk. Cora’s sweet steadfastness.

And her.

Her giving. Her taking. Her caring. Her . . . love for the man who’d bared his heart, who’d shown up for her when she needed, and who’d lain the groundwork for a trust they could continue to build over time.

She waved as Tanner drove away.

Then she threw the door wide open.

Forget inches.

She was dealing in feet.

Nineteen

Jaime

This was probably a mistake.

But . . . she’d texted him that her friends had left, that she wanted him to come over, and though he’d already been in bed, Jaime found that sleep wouldn’t pull him under.

Not when his woman wanted him.

His. Woman.

The last time he’d thought that had been during his days with Lori the previous year, but even then, the days, the time he’d spent with his ex, had never been like this.

His mom used to tell his sisters, “You have to date a few bad ones in order to find the right one.” He’d always thought that was ridiculous. Normal people met each other, dated, stayed together, or moved on.

But then he’d dated a bad one.

He’d dated Lori.

And he’d understood exactly what his mom had meant.

Ultimately, it was a good thing. He didn’t think he would have had the strength to say what he had that night, to keep moving forward when he’d overheard the conversation, to declare himself in front of a room of women who were prepared to dislike him.

Except . . . Kate.

She clearly loved her friends. They clearly loved her.

It was a simple as that.

So, it was nothing for him to give her what she needed. Now, he hoped she’d take the words, the