Wishing for a Cowboy (Wishing River #3) - Victoria James Page 0,42

over here. I was nervous about hanging out with new friends, and he was reassuring me. He loves you ladies,” she said, smiling, hoping to deflect. There was no way Aiden was looking at her in the way that Sarah was suggesting.

“Well, he wasn’t looking at you concerned or anything,” Hope said.

“Agreed. It was a different sort of look,” Lainey said, glancing over at Aiden.

“I mean, not that it’s any of our business. We’re sounding gossipy,” Sarah said, wincing at Lainey and Hope.

“We are. Don’t mind us, Janie; we’re usually not like this. At least I hope we’re not,” Lainey said with a nervous laugh before picking up her glass of water.

Hope leaned forward. “We’re not. But that is the most interest we’ve ever seen Aiden show anyone. I mean, of course there’s the typical fan club he has that doesn’t leave the bar, but he never pays them any real attention. He just does what he has to for his customers. The problem is he’s too good-looking. Even Tyler, Cade, and Dean don’t want him around because they’re insecure.”

Sarah burst out laughing. “I always thought that was why Cade didn’t like him. I could never get him to pinpoint what it was about Aiden he didn’t like. I had a sneaking suspicion it was the looks thing.”

“Totally. Tyler said he didn’t trust him.” Lainey rolled her eyes. “It’s only because we were all talking about how good-looking he is. Typical guy behavior.”

“But Aiden isn’t the type to go home with just anyone,” Hope assured her.

“Actually, I don’t ever remember seeing him with anyone. In years. Or ever,” Lainey said, her brows knitting together.

Janie straightened her shoulders. “Really?”

“Really,” Hope agreed.

“I guess that’s good to know. For Will’s sake. You know, that he won’t be bringing home random women or anything. For me, it’s irrelevant. We’re both leading separate lives.”

“That’ll make things easier,” Lainey said with a knowing smile. In fact, they all gave her that same smile. Like they all knew she was either fooling herself or she was lying to them.

Janie glanced back over at the bar and reluctantly put her glasses back on, preferring to see Aiden clearly over vanity, and pondered what they were saying. Aiden was all sorts of complicated because of his past with Maxi. Never in her entire life would Janie have ever entertained the idea of a relationship with one of Maxi’s exes. Mostly because they were all losers.

But Aiden was definitely not a loser. He wasn’t like anyone she’d seen her sister with before. The more she got to know Aiden, the more she realized, if not for Will, she would have a hard time believing they had ever been together at all.

And that…was a very dangerous thought.

…

Two hours later, after her new friends left, Janie made her way back to the bar, empty wineglass in hand and eyes on the women still sitting there. Didn’t they have anywhere to go? They just kept chatting with Aiden.

Janie paused and assessed how many seats were empty at the bar. It was late but still a few hours to go before closing time. She watched Aiden for a moment. Maybe he liked those women, and maybe she shouldn’t ruin things for him.

Deciding she didn’t want to intrude—and would rather spy from the distant seat at the bar—she took the long way around and hoped Aiden wouldn’t notice her slide onto a stool in the corner.

She pulled out her phone to see if by any chance Maxi had responded to her texts. Nothing. Why had she talked to Aiden and Will but not her? Janie chewed her bottom lip and wondered if drunk texting was ever appropriate. It should be in this case.

But Aiden spotted Janie right away and walked over, almost a swagger but not quite, because he really wasn’t cocky. “You done for the night?”

She’d had way too much to drink to drive safely. “Yes. I can get a ride home with someone. No need to leave early on my account.”

His lips twitched, and he splayed his arms wide on the counter, giving her his undivided attention. He made her feel like she was the only person in the bar. He made her feel alive, like a woman who was so very aware of the man in front of her. “I’ve got you covered,” he said. “I have someone who’ll close up for me tonight. Give me five minutes, and we can go. We’ll pick up your car tomorrow.” He walked back to