it was a moment ago. “He protects me because he feels like he has to, and usually, I let him get away with it. He has big issues with Wally. They never got along—they’re chalk and cheese.”
“I can believe it.”
Inside, Drake carefully pours two glasses, making sure they’re even.
“He’s pretty...stubborn.”
“He didn’t trust him, and he secretly enjoyed saying, ‘I told you so,’ when the time came.” She smirks slightly. “And, apparently, the Holly Woods gossip mill has fueled rumors once more.”
“That and he saw Wally leaving here this week.”
Gianna purses her lips. “Well, that’s unfortunate. Can’t a woman have sex without her son sniffing around?”
“Oh, shit,” Drake groans. “I don’t want to hear this.”
I laugh. “Then leave the wine and disappear.”
“I don’t even think y’all should be having this conversation.”
“Why not? We’re just talking.”
“About my mother’s sex life!” Drake groans again and rubs his temper.
Gianna grins and lifts her glass. “Closer to sixty than fifty and seeing two men. Cheers to that!”
Well...the woman has a point.
“What am I gonna dooooooo?” Bek drops herself down onto one of my scarlet-red bucket chairs and throws her arm over her eyes. “I’m not ready for this, Noelle. This is going too fast. I don’t know what I want. What am I supposed to do?”
“For the love of fucking God, Rebekah! He’s asked you on a fucking date, not to elope to Neptune!” I snap, slamming my hand down onto my desk so hard that a pen flips right out of the holder. “And not just a date, but a date to a place where you’re already going!”
“But that’s worse!” She flings herself forward and pushes her auburn hair from her eyes. “I can’t say no, can I? Can you imagine if I see him there? Like, OH, HI, I JUST TURNED YOU DOWN BUT HOW ARE YOU?”
I throw my pen. At her head. It bounces off onto the floor, and she freezes.
“Sit down, Rebekah Hough, before I make you!”
“I’m not—ah.” She drops back into the chair and sets her hands in her lap.
“Thank you.” I rub my hand down my face. Jesus, being the rational one in this friendship isn’t my jam. “Bek, Jason isn’t going to cut you up in your sleep if you say no to this date.”
She squeaks.
“Probably could have worded that better,” I say to myself. “Just tell him you’re going and will meet him for a drink at the party.”
“But how will I know it’s him if we’re all in costume?”
“Because you ask him for his costume, you turnip!” I throw another pen at her. “And he’s six foot three!”
“All your brothers are over six foot.”
“And?”
She shrugs one shoulder. “I’m just sayin’.”
I frown. “One of my brothers is married, the other about to be... Are you worried you’ll mistake Jason for Brody?”
“No!” Her response comes out a little too quickly—and a little too high-pitched. “I’m just saying!”
“All right, all right, Alvin. Are your chipmunks coming to back up your denial, or have they abandoned you?”
Bek slumps in the chair. “I don’t want to rush into anything, okay? Like, I look at Jason and he doesn’t look at me the way Trent looks at Alison or the way Dev looks at Amelia. Or even the way Drake looks at you when you fight and are screamin’ at each other.”
“Which is a lot. And we don’t scream—we discuss loudly.”
“Exactly. He just...doesn’t look at me like that. And I have so heard you scream at him.”
Whatever. “You’re comparing a guy you just met with guys we’ve known forever. Trent grew up watching Alison make bad choices with us. Dev grew up watching Amelia placate our parents. Drake... Well, he’s Drake.”
She sighs heavily. “I want that, Noelle. I want what y’all have.”
“We have love. It’s that simple. But love doesn’t happen overnight. Give Jason a chance, yeah? He’s not a bad guy, and one date won’t kill you.”
“What do I say to him though?”
Good lord. It’s like talking to a two-year-old.
“That you’ve already made plans to go with friends but you’ll meet him there.”
“And if I hate it?”
I hesitate. Ah... Quick, brain, quick!“Then you’re there with friends you have to spend time with.”
“And if I like it?”
“Then I can one hundred percent confirm your friends won’t mind.” I grin. “Meet him there. Now tell him before I do.”
“Fine, fine. But, if this goes wrong, I’m blaming you.”
“Of course you are.” I roll my eyes. “Hey... You know Brody has a date, right? You won’t mistake Jason for him.”
“Why would I care?” She