a pretty girl, but I like the curvy girls. Okay? It’s not going to go beyond flirting with her. So, you can stop picturing how it’ll look when you shove my head up my own ass and relax about the whole situation.”
He fucking hated it, but just hearing Lucas say he wasn’t interested in Addison made the steam cooker in his brain cool off a couple of degrees.
“Friends again?” Lucas held out his hand, the two bracelets around his wrist taunting Preacher.
“If I find out you touched her on Tuesday, even one goddamn time, you’ll regret moving to Harmony Falls.” Preacher said. “You understand?”
Lucas’s laid-back grin didn’t waver. In an exaggerated French accent, he said, “Aye, aye, mon capitaine.”
Preacher rolled his eyes and stalked away.
Chapter Sixteen
“Thanks for inviting Daniel,” Addison said. “I really appreciate it and I know he does too. He’s been lonely without us, even if he won’t admit it.”
Kira smiled at her. “It’s going well, I think. I talked with Connor about it beforehand and he was good with it. He’s not jealous which I’m grateful for, because he really has nothing to be jealous about, you know?”
“I do. Daniel said he and Connor had a beer and he apologized.”
“He did. I still don’t know what exactly Daniel said to make Connor punch him – Connor won’t say – but I know that Connor appreciated the apology.”
“Speaking of, how’s his hand doing?”
“Well, considering how hard your brother’s face apparently is, Connor’s hand is doing better. Obviously still not fully healed and the cast isn’t even close to coming off yet, but the fingers are no longer swollen, there’s no numbness in them, and he can wiggle them. Which the specialist said is fantastic news. He thinks with even just a few weeks of physical therapy, Connor will have enough range of motion to start working on patients again. Although he did apparently manage a dental check up one-handed on a very patient client the other day,” Kira said.
“That’s good,” Addison said.
“It is.” She swept the lemon rinds into the compost bin tucked under the kitchen sink. “Daniel’s had too much to drink.”
“I know,” Addison said. “He’s already given me his keys. I’ll drive him home.”
“Okay, good. I could see Gideon giving him the old cop eye.”
“Daniel wouldn’t drive drunk,” Addison said. “He’s not perfect, but he would never do something that stupid.”
“I know,” Kira said quickly. “I just want to make sure he stays safe. Now, let’s talk about Lucas.”
“What about him?”
“I saw the way you two were flirting up a storm by the food table.” Kira stirred the fresh pitcher of lemonade she’d just made.
“We weren’t flirting,” Addison said.
“Oh yeah? Because you gave him a couple friendship bracelets,” Kira said.
“Oh my God, I’ve given all my friends the bracelets.”
“Girl, seriously, just consider him,” Kira said.
Addison leaned against the kitchen counter. It was only her and Kira in the kitchen, everyone else was in the back yard, but she lowered her voice anyway. “Lucas isn’t interested in me.”
“Are you kidding? He asked you to go yarn shopping with him,” Kira said.
Addison laughed. “It’s for his mom’s birthday present. Apparently, she’s been knitting since Lucas was a kid.”
“He’s good looking and sweet,” Kira said. “You really should at least consider him as your new casual lover. He’s not in a relationship right now and I don’t think he’s really looking for one. Plus, he’s the exact opposite of Harrison. He’s easy going and funny, and he’s probably a hell of a lot of fun in bed.”
“He’s not my type,” Addison said.
“You don’t know that. Maybe you secretly love the fun and flirty guy. Besides, you’re not looking for a relationship, just a casual banging partner. Right?”
“Right,” Addison said. “But he’s just not…”
“Not flicking your bean for you?” Kira said.
Addison laughed again. “Now you sound like Gracie.”
“Don’t I?” Kira said with a grin. “You know what we need to do? We need to take you out to the bars. We need to introduce you to a bunch of different guys and figure out what kind of guy you want to get dirty with just for fun. What do you think?”
“Um, yeah, sure, why not,” Addison said.
“Look at you!” Kira put her arm around Addison’s shoulders and squeezed. “Stepping out of your comfort box and trying new things. I’m so proud of you, honey.”
“Thanks.”
“You okay?” Kira studied her. “You’ve been on the quiet side this afternoon. Did the news about Grace and Gideon’s engagement upset you?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“It’s