project at a spa off the Strip.”
Savannah wrinkles her nose in my direction. “Sorry about earlier. I never would’ve come on to you if I’d known who you were. I wouldn’t do that to Brin.”
Brinley scowls. “How many of those have you had?” she asks, pointing to Savannah’s glass.
Savannah shrugs. “Enough that my tongue’s loosened a little, but not so many that I’ve lost control of it entirely. You need to catch up.”
Brinley takes a small sip of her drink. “I’ll pace myself. Thanks.”
Savannah and Alec turn back to each other, returning to their conversation.
I settle into the booth and study Brinley. “You moved back to Orchid Valley after you finished college.” It’s not a question. Even if I hadn’t put as much together from Savannah’s introduction, I know Brinley well enough to know it’s true. Or knew her . . . Can you know someone when you haven’t spoken to them for ten years?
“I always planned to. Even with its faults, it really is the only place I’d want to raise a family.”
Family. The word makes me bristle, but it doesn’t come as a surprise. Brinley always wanted to be a mom, to raise half a dozen rug rats and let them wreak havoc on her parents’ immaculate mansion. The image would make me smile if it didn’t exclude me so completely. “And is that what you’re doing there?” I shift my focus to that naked ring finger again. “Being the perfect wife and mother?”
“I’m not the perfect anything.” She drains the rest of her martini and doesn’t meet my eyes, focusing instead across the packed bar. “I need to run to the ladies’ room.”
I’m a dick. “Sorry. I didn’t mean . . .”
“It’s not that.” She settles her glass on the table and gives me a tight smile as Savannah looks up and meets her gaze. “I’m fine. Really.”
Savannah turns to Alec. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
My friend gives her his widest smile and slowly looks her over. “I wouldn’t dare. Want another drink if the server comes around?”
She beams as she climbs out of the booth. “Of course! Get my girl and me each another lemon drop martini.”
Brinley opens her mouth, and I think she’s going to object, but instead she says, “If you don’t mind.”
Savannah gives Alec an air kiss then slides her arm through Brinley’s as they walk toward the bathroom.
“So that’s Brinley Knox,” Alec says. He scans my face, and I know he’s looking for shock or panic or some shit. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I’m a fucking liar.
“You think she’s intentionally evading the question about her marital status, or . . .?”
Right. That. “I’m not sure.” But I intend to find out.
“Assuming she’s single . . . you two just gonna pick up where you left off?”
Since we “left off” with Brinley pushing me away, I hope not, but I shrug.
Alec grunts. “Tone it down, Mars. You’re way too vocal about your emotions.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I take a sip of my bourbon. Alec Hayes knows more about my life pre-college than anyone besides Aunt Lori, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to spill my guts right now. “I’m still trying to figure out if this is really happening.”
“It’s happening.” He pauses a beat, his gaze glued to the hall where the girls disappeared. “If you need me to keep the friend busy tonight, I can do that.”
“Real fucking selfless of you.”
Alec grins. “I’m giving like that.” That grin falls away as he studies me. “I see that brain of yours working overtime. Dial back the introspection and enjoy yourself.”
“That could be a recipe for disaster,” I mutter, but it doesn’t matter. Even if spending the night with Brinley is a terrible idea, I know I’ll take every second she’ll give me.
He takes a pull of his vodka tonic and sighs. “Consider it a gift—one night in Vegas with the love of your life.”
“You’re making a lot of assumptions there, Hayes.”
“I’m not assuming shit. You’d have to be blind to miss the way she looks at you. And you’ve told me more than once how you feel about her.”
“No, you’re assuming I’ll only get one night.”
Alec snorts. “I have complete confidence that you’ll get your night and turn it into whatever you want.” He pauses a beat. “Have you thought about this, though? She kind of fucked you up, dude. Do you really want to ask for seconds?”
My emotions are a mess of regret and longing and hope. I can barely remember