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Holly didn’t look away from Declan. “I pictured you more as a bourbon type of guy.”
“I wouldn’t want to waste Pike’s money.”
“Sweet of you,” she said sarcastically.
“Whoa, what’s all this tension,” Pike said, doing an exaggerated tremble. “Do you two need to take this outside?”
“Nah, we’re good.” Declan got up from the table with a twirl of his finger. “I’ve got the next round.”
“Yeah, that’s my boy,” Pike cheered, his mirth dying down when he caught Holly’s stare. “What?”
“You know what.”
Pike held his hands in the air. “Hey, you’re the one putting it out there. I can’t help picking up on your pissed-off vibes.”
Holly leaned back in her chair with a huff, her attention on the tall, lithe brunette sidling up to Declan at the bar. She put her hand on Declan’s arm, motioning to the dance floor. At first he shook his head with a small smile, but she seemed to be pleading with him.
“He doesn’t want to dance,” Holly muttered to herself, realizing too late she was halfway out of her seat. Merry watched her with wide eyes as she lowered herself back down in time to watch the brunette win out, holding Declan’s hand as he followed her onto the dance floor.
“Holy cow, you’re jealous,” Merry whispered.
“I am not. Jealousy is a symptom of insecurity and I am not that.”
“Or that you’re into someone who is currently with another person,” Merry said.
“He’s not with her. They’re dancing. I’ve danced with Pike and it doesn’t mean I want to jump his bones.”
Pike stroked his beard, studying Declan’s partner. “I think they look good together.”
“She’s a good height for him,” Tony agreed.
“What does that mean, Anthony? Someone shorter can’t be with anyone taller? That’s height discrimination.”
His jaw dropped before he recovered. “I made a comment about how two people look together. I’m not discriminating.”
“You did say Holly was too short for Declan earlier, though,” Pike threw in, grinning wickedly.
“What?” Holly snapped.
Tony scowled at Pike.
“Why were you discussing me and Declan at all?”
“They were trying to figure out why he was moping. Thought it might have something to do with you,” Nick offered.
“Just them?” Holly asked.
“Of course. You’re my sister. I mind my own business.”
Clark started coughing, which sounded suspiciously like suppressed laughter, and Holly turned her attention to her future brother-in-law. “You got something to say, Clark?”
“Nope,” he wheezed. “In fact, I think it’s time for another drink, right, boys?”
All the men stood up in unison and Holly hollered after them, “You’re all a bunch of sissies!”
Merry laughed next to her. “I always wondered how you were able to intimidate grown men. Tell me your secret, sister.”
“It’s the hair. They automatically assume I’ve got attitude and a bad temper.”
