no interest speaking with. I’m hopeful this was just the first of the many conversations we’ll share.
Standing in the middle of the incomplete bathroom renovation with dust, tools, and supplies everywhere I look, I grin. I haven’t been this interested in getting to know a woman since my college girlfriend. It seems like there’s been substantial progress made.
“Hey, Adam,” Danika calls out as I sink down into the vacant side of the booth.
“How are the two of you doing?” My gaze swings between her and Rex.
Danika smiles, gazing at my older brother. Her absolute happiness practically oozes from her pores. “Things are wonderful.”
Rex presses a kiss to her temple and then faces me. “What she said.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You know, since you came into my brother’s life, he’s a lot more tolerable.”
“Hey, I won’t deny it. I could be a dick sometimes,” Rex admits.
“You were a dick most of the time, bro. But I’d rather deal with you at your worst than anyone else.”
“That’s sweet,” Danika says.
“Hey. He said I was a dick. How is that sweet?”
“Sorry I’m late.” Roxanne appears at the side of the table. I wasn’t aware she was coming. My night is looking up.
“No worries,” Danika tells her.
Exiting the booth, I gesture for her to slip inside first. She scoots over to the far side, and I take the space next to her. Her soft floral perfume wraps around me, teasing my nose with the alluring scent. My eyes glide over her shiny hair and flawless face, reminding me of how feminine she is. Even her fingernails are painted a fire engine red.
“What’s going on? You look like you’re about to bust if you don’t share something,” Roxanne addresses Dani.
Now that she mentioned it, Dani does look like she’s excited about something.
“Rex and I may have chosen our wedding date.”
“Congratulations,” I say.
Rocky shoos me away with her hand. “Never mind him, when’s the date?”
“January 28th.”
Rocky’s eyes bulge. “This January? As in a little over six months away?”
“That’s the one,” Rex confirms.
Roxanne leans forward, elbows on the table. “Oh my God. How do you expect to have a wedding set up that quickly?”
Dani giggles. “It’s going to be a really small affair.”
Roxanne narrows her eyes. “How small?”
“Both of our immediate families and a few friends.”
“Nice.” I nod.
Roxanne hits my arm. “Stop agreeing with everything. You’re supposed to challenge her.”
Huh?
“She’s an adult. Why would I question something she wants?”
“That’s what friends do. They make sure your decisions are well thought out so you don’t have regrets later,” Roxanne explains, like I’m stupid for not knowing this.
I shift my thigh over until it’s touching hers. “That’s another difference between men and women—we don’t question each other’s decisions. We blindly support with no questions asked.”
“That’s just dumb. What if they made a bad decision and you know it?”
I give a half shrug. “I don’t say anything. It’s not my place. I still support them. It’s their choice, not mine.”
“That’s horrible. No wonder why men make such horrible decisions. They don’t get any help from their friends.”
“I don’t know how much help they’d be anyway,” Danika offers. “In my experience, two male brains are worse than one, not better.”
“Hey,” I jump in. “I’m a little insulted. My brother and I are highly intelligent men who are capable of making solid decisions together and on our own.”
Both of our female companions burst into laughter. Even Rex sniggers, which sort of kills my case.
“I’ve seen some of the decisions you’ve made.” Danika acts as if she’s cupping two enormous tits.
I smirk. “And your point is?”
18
Roxanne
Danika never mentioned Adam would be joining them. And as odd as it is, I need to admit to myself that finding him sitting in the booth wasn’t an unpleasant surprise. After our interactions the past few days, I think he might be growing on me.
The waitress drops off appetizers and a pitcher of beer, promising to return to take our orders.
“I hope you guys don’t mind, but we figured we’d order a few things while we were waiting. Dig in,” Rex tells us.
“This is gonna hit the spot.” Adam adds buffalo tenders and mozzarella sticks to his plate.
I do the same, grabbing a couple of fried raviolis too. Conversation dies off as we all focus on inhaling the delicious appetizers, but I can’t forget about the gorgeous man sitting next to me. And his thigh pressed to mine has me thinking things I shouldn’t be.
Watching him eat, his large hand wrapped around the fork, has me