Page 66 of Finding Redemption

“Look at me.” I wave my hand up and down my body. “It’s not like I thought he’d be interested.”

“Yeah, he’s not that guy either,” Riley quips.

My chest caves with heaviness. Still, I look him in the eye. “What guy? One who likes fat girls?”

“No, a girl like you.” Riley inclines his head at me.

“What Riley is trying, but failing, to say is that Walker likes you as you are,” Ava explains.

“He made that clear.” I rub my fingers across my lips, thinking of Walker’s on mine. “It doesn’t matter. He left with her.”

“He didn’t want to. It was a knee-jerk reaction,” Riley says.

“Yeah, well, he’s definitely a jerk.”

“Most people just call him an asshole.” Riley grins at me.

“He’s that too.” I smirk at him. “But I like me a jerk with a little asshole tendency.”

“It’s your lucky day ‘cause my brother fits the bill.” Riley laughs.

“He’s not that bad.”

“On second thought, you might want to wait on your opinion of him,” Alden says.

“You think he’s gonna sleep with her?” I wrinkle my nose at the thought.

“No.” Ava stands, placing her hands on her hips. “He doesn’t want her. Your concern should be if he’ll allow himself to come back to you.”

“Why do you like him?” Alden cocks a brow at me.

“Shut it.” I slap at him. “I need to know what happened. If we have any semblance of hope, he has to open up to me.”

“Hang in there. He’s a better man than he even knows,” Riley says, joining Ava’s side.

“Be patient but give in. He’ll test your every nerve.” She winks at me.

“Just when I thought we had come to an understanding.” My mind goes to the kiss, and I can’t help but hope.

“Know this, when a Pennington man decides what he wants, he’ll stop at nothing to get it.” Ava wraps me in a hug. “Let’s do lunch.”

“Promise.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Scouts honor.” I hold up three fingers.

“Sounds good. Goodnight.” Ava and Riley wave as they leave.

“Let’s go home, troublemaker.” Alden rises from his chair, offering his hand.

Just then, a gorgeous brunette approaches us. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to intrude.”

“Yes, she does.” A large, nice looking man stands to her side.

“Oh, hush. I couldn’t help but notice you were with Walker. Walker Pennington,” she says.

My eyes grow wide. “Yes.” Again, I find my stomach rolling with angst.

“I know this seems odd and...” The big guy next to her grunts. “I wanted to say he’s a good guy.”

“Temperamental.”