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Smooth.
Pepper smiles like she can’t help herself. “Like I said…there are just some things a gal-pal can’t do.”
“You were quiet at dinner,” Chase grumbles in the kitchen.
I shrug, wiping off the plate. “Hard to get a word in.”
“She’s just trying to make everyone happy. She wants to keep it simple for my benefit, to make it not a big deal for Charlie, to invite everyone important.” He sighs. “And paying very little attention to what she wants. That’s why we need Charlie. Charlie will focus on Pepper, not everyone on the guest list.”
I nod. It’s the first thing anyone said all night that’s made sense. “She’d be good at that.”
Chase raises a brow.
I wince. “Still want me as your best man? Not too late to pick Levi and get Charlie back on board.”
“Charlie wants you on board. You’re just still too much of a shit to see it.” He walks out and I throw my towel down.
That’s the problem.
I don’t see it anymore.
It’s after eleven when I finally get back to my house. I like the drive here at night. The clear moon in the midnight sky. The outline of the mountains. I made the mistake of bringing a date back here once—the one time I brought anyone back to Hideaway Springs from Denver. She was the sister of a client for corporate fraud. The case was easy. The redhead was hot. We spent many evenings together, usually at the hotel I’d stay at when I’d pile my Denver clients into one long weekend.
But then she wanted to come here.
And hated every minute of it. Every cricket, every tree rustle was some animal she thought would jump out and attack her in the dark. And that was just the walk from the car to the front door. Heaven forbid I took her out back to my jacuzzi.
I ended the night early and took her home. Reminding myself of another reason why I like it here. Most women hate nature.
I love it. I love this view, the sounds, the serenity of it. I travel a lot for work, deal with the rowdiest of clients, suffer from headaches because of them.
It’s not the most favorable, but I’ve got the best property in town. Not the biggest—that belongs to my brother Levi. But it’s secluded, the way I chose to be a long time ago.
Alone.
I never make it to my bedroom. I’m lying awake on the couch way past midnight. My mind running over what Pepper said at dinner.
I should ignore it.
It was intentional. I’m a lawyer. I see right through that shit all day.
But hell if it isn’t working. What’s the other thing on your birthday bucket list, Charlie?
Or is Pepper full of it?
The irrational part of me wins and I find myself on my phone scheduling another grocery delivery first thing in the morning.
5
Acar door slams outside my house and my eyes fly open, expectantly. It takes me a moment to realize it’s morning and I must have fallen asleep on my couch last night.
Sunlight filters through the sheer curtains and from my position, I see the familiar old red sedan in my driveway. She’s had that car for as long as I can remember and I cringe every time I see her still driving it.
That tiny blonde that still manages to make my heart skip a beat, lugs a brown paper grocery bag with both arms. She drops it at the door before going back for the rest. When the fifth loaded bag is dropped, she draws a fisted hand back, ready to break down my door.
Still shirtless, I pull it open before she can.
“Whooah.” Charlie tumbles over the bags and falls into my chest. Despite being caught off guard, I capture her firmly.
