you something. What’s going to make you happy? Trying and failing with Case—who could honestly use some happy things in his life right now—or being too scared to try at all?”
Mia frowned, thinking for a moment. “I worry that I’m crossing a line I can’t come back from. Kori, I haven’t told you everything, but now isn’t the time. Let’s say I have an ulterior motive for being here.”
“The stuff with your friend?” It wasn’t a hard leap.
“Yes.”
“Case has nothing to do with that.”
“He might,” Mia replied. “McKay-Taggart has worked for some interesting people.”
“I assure you Case Taggart would never do anything to hurt you. He’s not that kind of guy. If he’s interested in you, it’s because he wants to spend time with you. He’s not working. The man wants a dance. I wasted so much time with Kai. I didn’t read the signs. I held off showing him I was interested and I did it because I was scared. Then we lost Theo. I think that made every single one of us realize how short life can be.”
“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life. I lost my parents when I was very young. I lost my brothers for a long time after that.”
“What would your parents want for you?” It felt good to be helping someone. She couldn’t help Sarah and Jared, but Mia and Case were a different story. If they liked each other, there was zero reason for them not to try.
Somehow being in love with Kai made everything seem possible.
Mia sniffled. “They would want me to be happy. My friend would want me to be happy. But Kori, until I figure this thing out, be careful.”
She leaned over, giving her friend a hug. “I will.”
Mia straightened up and smiled. “I’m going to go ask that cowboy to dance. Can you hold my purse?”
It was the job of a good girlfriend. “Will do.”
Kori took Mia’s little bag and followed her out, sure at least one thing had gone right tonight.
* * * *
Kai watched as Kori walked out with Mia. She looked over and gave him a wink and that was when he realized what she was carrying. Mia’s purse. It was one of those tiny things that was mostly a wallet with some bling on it. It wouldn’t carry more than some cash, credit cards, and her phone. He was only interested in one of those things.
Mia stopped in front of Case and held out her hand.
Shit. Kori had done it, and she looked so happy for her friend.
Kai’s gut twisted.
“What is she doing?” Jared asked, staring out on the dance floor where Sarah was commanding attention.
“I think she’s dancing, man,” Squirrel said as he stood up and slapped Jared on the shoulder. “Face facts. You lost that one. Guess you can’t win ’em all. I’m going to grab a beer from the bar. A real beer. All the crap they have in the VIP lounge is artesian crap. I’ll be back.”
“Have you seen the others?” Jared glanced around as though he realized his crew had deserted him.
Squirrel shouted over the music. “They’re out and about, brother. Don’t worry about them. Find another lady and have some fun. I know that’s what I’m going to do.”
Kori sank down beside him, settling her purse and Mia’s away from him. He would have to reach over her to get to it. Damn it. He wanted to tell Case to fuck the whole op. He wasn’t doing this. If Kori found out, she could get hurt, and the most important thing in the world to him was that Kori didn’t get hurt.
But he owed more than Kori. He owed them all. He had to make this work.
Case stood up, taking Mia’s hand in his. He towered over the blonde, and even from where Kai was sitting it was easy to see how the couple leaned into each other, how their bodies couldn’t seem to stay apart. The smile he gave Mia wasn’t all about the op.
Case looked over at Kai and nodded. “We’re going to go dance for a while. Be back in a bit.”
Mia clung to his hand, looking up at him like he was everything she wanted. She winked Kori’s way.
“I think that’s going to work out,” Kori whispered in his ear. “Thanks for pointing it out to me. I hope at least one of my friends finds a happy place tonight.”
Actually, it looked like Sarah was doing a pretty good job herself. The