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Silence fell for an uncomfortably long moment before he spoke. “Open the curtain and find out.” There was a hint of something in his voice I couldn’t quite figure out, at least not without looking at him, which I refused to do until I was fully dressed. “Bummer.”
I held my breath and kept my eyes closed until the sound of his bare feet on hard wood floors grew fainter and fainter. Only when I heard the fridge open downstairs followed by the sound of him twisting a cap off a bottle of beer, did I step from he shower and made a mad dash to my bedroom. I locked myself inside while I moisturized and dressed. In peace.
Fifteen minutes later, I was finally mentally prepared to face my best friend again. But I took my time on the stairs just to be sure.
“Sorry about that. You caught me off guard.”
He looked up with that same killer smile that always felt like it was just for me, which was silly since we were friends. Nothing more. But still, it always felt like a special smile. “That’s why I messaged. I know you hate to be surprised.”
That made me sound like I was on the wrong side of the excitement and spontaneity scale. “Thanks?”
“Anytime.” He turned back to the stove, mashing the massive amount of potatoes like a pro.
“Thanks for that, but I didn’t invite you to help me cook.”
“I know,” he said and kept his back to me, giving me time to get over my embarrassment, or maybe my arousal. Either way, I appreciated his thoughtfulness. “Figured I’d put these muscles to good use for a good cause.”
“Dinner with my family?”
Stone turned with a frown. “Mashed potatoes, Sophie. Duh.” He leaned over to the counter and grabbed more butter than any one person needed in one sitting. “Someone’s gotta taste these bad boys and make sure they’re good enough for he golden boy of Tulip.”
“Thanks for being here tonight, Stone.”
He turned with a smile that was full of heat, or maybe it was just my imagination again. “Always, Soph. Always.”
I waited until he turned away to fan my face and then stick my head in the fridge. It was going to be a long night.Stone“You’re not at all what I expected, Nina.” Not only was she the exact opposite of what anyone would consider a proper wife for Preston Worthington with her tattoos and foul mouth, but Nina was outspoken and sassy as hell. “Here’s to defying expectations.”
With a laugh she lifted her glass in the air and aimed a playful glance across the table at her husband. “To new friends and finding a man who makes a killer cocktail.”
Preston groaned. “Of all the things I do, she focuses on the one thing I don’t.” His smile was playful as he leaned forward and knocked his glass to hers. “Marriage. Avoid it at all costs, Stone.”
“You don’t mean that,” Sophie said, finally joining the conversation after playing the role of mute for the past twenty minutes.
“Not even a little bit. Nina is the best thing that ever happened to me. I give marriage five stars. Highly recommend.” His grin was wide, but it was the way he looked at her, with love and affection and heat, that spoke volumes. He hadn’t just fallen for her because she was his opposite. He’d married her for love. “So Stone, are you planning to stop at three gyms?”
I shrugged and took another pull from my beer. “I’m not sure. If I find the right opportunity, I’d be open to expanding.”
“Again,” Sophie added. “He barely has time to sleep between checking on the other two locations and taking on new clients.” There was a hint of pride in her voice that did more to me than witnessing the beauty that was her full, naked tits. Okay, almost more.
“Word around Tulip is that the gym owner is packing up for a move out west with his new girlfriend, leaving a void. Mother’s words, not mine.”
“I appreciate the tip Preston. Thanks.” Tulip wasn’t too far away, and it would mean getting all the business west of Tulip. Something to consider.
“Oh great,” Sophie laughed. “We’ve lost Stone for a few minutes while he figures out how to get a few more hours in each day.” Her words were good natured and playful, tinged with pride. “Way to go Pres.” Her smile was affectionate as she looked at her cousin. She was happy. Relaxed.
“No offense Stone, but you totally look like you own a gym. What do you do to get so ripped, lift weights? Oh, are you one of those cross fit people?” Nina’s eyes were wide with mischief as she rested her chin in her hand and waited for my answer.
I laughed, nearly choking on my beer as I shook my head. “Nothing so intense, just sports, weights and some bodyweight routines.” She looked disappointed and Preston laughed. “You have the intensity for cross fit. Or HIIT.”
