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Mason smirked. “Dragon’s in the middle of a dry spell. He’s gonna get carpal tunnel if he keeps working his hand the way he is.”
Emerson fucking giggled. “I got him a pocket pussy for Christmas to help take the edge off.”
“Hey, me too.” Kyle held out his fist, and Emerson bumped it.
They both had, the fuckers.
“It’s funny,” Kyle mused. “He’s baseball’s most popular bachelor, yet he’s been in a dry spell for almost a year. That shit’s messed up.”
“You assholes are free to go out and dick around,” I snapped. “But I don’t want just anyone. So until I get the right girl to realize she wants me, I’m content to be a moody motherfucker. Get used to it.”
“Spoken like a man in love.” Beckett stepped closer, scrutinizing me. “Who is she?”
Frowning, I eased back. What the hell? Since I’d known the guy, he’d had a good handle on personal space, but suddenly he was crowding my personal bubble.
“No, you don’t.” Cortney pulled on Beckett’s arm. “Liv said you were done meddling in lives and fixing people up,” he warned. “Plus, we need to make sure Enzo has Delia locked down before your mind wanders to a new project.”
Delia was Liv and Dylan’s best friend, and the only single woman left in their house these days.
Beckett scoffed and yanked his arm out of Cortney’s hold. “Did you see the way they were dancing at the gala last week? Medusa is locked down.” Beckett turned back to me. “Give me a name. I have the Midas touch when it comes to matchmaking.”
“For the love of God, leave the poor man alone.” Cortney huffed. “You are not a matchmaker.”
“Um, remind me again who set you up with your beautiful fiancée?” He broke out in a smug grin. When Cortney didn’t respond, Beckett shoved a finger in his chest. “Me. It’s me.”
Cortney cocked a brow. “You know the next line.”
Beckett only narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
“I’m the problem.”
Around me, the group broke into fits of laughter. But I was anxious to avoid any talk of Avery around the Revs’ owner—a.k.a. the man who could shut shit down between us in a heartbeat—so I pulled thedoor open and waved the guys over. “Can we please stop dicking around?”
The addition made the place twice its original size, and the ice, water, and rocks behind the floor-to-ceiling glass looked brilliant under the bright lights. The place looked perfect, and the birds happily moved through the water.
I scanned the large space until I found Puff. He was on a rock, jumping around with four of the other puffins. My heart floated in my chest at the sight. He’d found his group of friends. He still had the sad, dark face and dull beak, but Avery promised that in another month, he’d be back to the white-faced clown that I first met.
My dad and sister stood with a group of people near one corner of the room. Gianna had met with the zoo’s director to talk about doing more work for them, so she’d already been here for a couple of hours. My dad tipped his chin and gave me a thumbs-up. The signal could mean one of three things: good luck, be good, or the meeting went well.
I returned the gesture, then continued scanning the crowd. When I caught sight of Avery, all the air rushed out of my lungs. She was always pretty, but on occasion, looking at her was like getting punched in the gut. When she was dressed up, yes, but even more so when she stood with her shoulders back, confident and proud, and when she was excited. Today, she’d mastered the trifecta. Her hair was down and wavy, and she wore just a hint of makeup. Her gorgeous face looked fresh and natural, but her normal look was enhanced by whatever she’d done. The navy dress brought out her blue irises and clung to her curves. Fucking stunning.
I roughed a hand down my face and cupped my mouth, unable to pull my eyes away.
“Oh, duck me,” Beckett said beside me, startling me enough to make me drop my hand and turn. “No, no, no.”
He eyed me, then Avery, his green eyes full of curiosity and maybe a hint of warning.
Cortney loomed over him and pulled him toward the front doors. “We’re supposed to be helping Liv and Dylan.”
“No, we’re not.” Beckett yanked himself out of the giant blond’sgrip for the second time since they’d been here. “Liam told us to go do our damn jobs and not make this worse by riling the kids up.”
Cortney sighed and pointed to the door, and with a grunt, Beckett stomped away. Cortney shot me a warning look and followed.
“I don’t think you need to give him a name anymore.” Mason chuckled.
My stomach twisted into knots. But then Avery was heading this way, and all thoughts of the Revs’ owner and GM dissipated. Thank fuck my friends let it go too. As much as they gave me crap about her, they kept their mouths shut in front of her.
“Hey, guys. Thanks for coming.” She beamed at us, clasping her hands in front of her.
