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“Pomegranate fizz as requested.” I hold out the drink for Madison and she takes it, smiling at me. Nick takes a step back and eyes me furtively. I’m sure he’s trying to decide how exactly I factor into her life that she’d bring me here.
“Thank you. Nick, you remember Quentin. Quentin, you remember Nick.” I can tell by the tone of her voice she’s reminding me to keep my cool despite last night.
“Friend now, am I?” Nick muses and they exchange a knowing look. It stokes the jealousy I’ve done my best to putout. But the memory of her saying she was thinking of him yesterday is still fresh. Which means I could do with less of Mr. Ivy League’s charm around my girl.
“I think so.” They exchange a look.
“Fair enough. Except the only girl who interests me is taken. Where is A.J. anyway?”
I take a sip of my drink to keep from saying something.
“Busy. Family vacation with his kids.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“No. I trust him.”
“Well… if he ever disappoints.” Nick grins at her, and I clear my throat.
“He’s just kidding.” Madison excuses Nick’s behavior.
Nick looks at me again, and he must see the annoyance on my face because he excuses himself a moment later and takes off.
“I don’t think he’s kidding,” I mutter once he’s out of earshot.
“Not entirely.”
My eyes snap to hers. “Did you have a thing? Is that why he was the center of your fantasy yesterday?”
“Eh. Just a little flirtation. When Tobias and Scarlett were figuring out they had feelings for each other, their friends set Scarlett and Nick up. He was in on it, but I think he was still feeling a little odd man out by the end of it.”
“And you fixed it?”
“Not like you’re thinking. Like I said, it was just flirting. He’s too young and sweet for me anyway.”
“Because you prefer them old and bitter?”
“I prefer them older and with a little more grit, yeah. As you’re well aware.” She leans in closer. “And you can remind me again later when we’re back at the hotel.” The devious grin she gives me has me wanting to take her here and now, but I bitemy tongue to keep from saying or doing anything that would get us unwanted attention.
“Have you talked to your other lover yet?” I scan the room for Xander.
She flashes me an amused look. “No, I haven’t seen him or Harper here yet.”
And like I just summoned them, they walk up to us. Or what I assume is Harper given that I’ve never met her, but she’s walking hand in hand with Xander.
“Madison!” Xander’s fiancée greets her, and they exchange a hug while Xander and I nod at each other. Tobias must have laid groundwork because Xander’s already less icy to me than earlier.
“Let me see the ring!” Madison takes her hand, and they exchange excitement over the massive rock and the wedding that’s coming.
“Looks like a nice turnout. I’m jealous of you and Tobias. Being with the same team all these years. Must be nice to have a lot of the same friends and a place that feels like home,” I say to my old friend.
“Yeah. It is. I count myself lucky that I might be able to retire with the same team I started with. I know that’s rare. Listen… Tobias caught me up a little.” Xander talks softly, letting the girls’ voices overtake us. “I wish we’d known more sooner. Still might have decked you for touching her in the first place, but Tobias and I would have taken your side. We could have helped.”
“I was too proud for all that.” I shake my head dismissively. “Especially from you.”
“Fair enough.” Xander sighs and motions for me to follow him to get a drink. I don’t need another, but I can tell this is about more than that. When we get to the bar he speaks again, low enough for only me to hear. “I shouldn’t get involved. But given my own experience… Don’t waste your time. I don’t know the whole story. If she’s really seeing A.J. or not, Tobias said he couldn’t explain details of what’s going on now, just that you two are back on good terms again. If you want her though, don’t wait any longer.”
“I don’t plan to. If she gives me a chance, I’ll take it.”
