“Okay. So, I’ll ask again. What are you going to do?”
“Have a little chat with Lucas.”
I shook my head. I might not like the idea of Wren dating Lucas, but… “You’re crossing the line. And if Wren ever finds out…”
“She’s not going to find out.” He stood, jabbing a finger in my chest. “Because you’re not going to tell her. Are you?”
“Liam…” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m telling you—this is wrong.”
“I’m only looking out for her. Saving her heartache down the road. He’s not good enough for her.”
I didn’t disagree. I wasn’t sure there’d ever be anyone good enough for Wren. But still… “Don’t you think she should be allowed to figure that out for herself?”
“No,” he snapped and turned away. Matter closed. Discussion over.
I understood Liam’s desire to protect Wren, but still…it seemed a bit overboard. Even if I was—selfishly—silently cheering inside that the date wouldn’t happen. But then another thought occurred to me. How would Wren feel? Would she see it as a rejection? That Lucas stood her up for no apparent reason?
But when I glanced up to mention it to Liam, he was already gone.Shit.
I hurried through a shower and dressed quickly before grabbing my stuff. I jogged to my truck, a plan formulating in my mind. I didn’t know where Lucas lived, but I knew where he’d been planning to take her. If I couldn’t stop Liam, maybe I could do damage control with Wren.
Fortunately, downtown wasn’t far from the gym. I drove down historic Main Street and all the Victorian architecture, passing Bibliolater with its colorful display, currently celebrating #ownvoices. Then the florist, a few other gift shops. A clothing boutique and art gallery. Antiques. Then, finally, I made it to the corner where Larkspur was located.
I circled the block a few times, looking for a parking spot. Of all the nights…Damn tourists.
When I finally reached the restaurant, I could see Wren through one of the big picture windows. Alone. Eyes focused on her phone as she sipped her water and forced a smile.
But fuck me, she looked beautiful.
Her blond hair was curled in these big waves that cascaded over her shoulders. And even though I couldn’t see all of her, I could see enough to know that this interaction might kill me.Liam might kill you if he knew the thoughts you were having about his sister.
I opened the door to the restaurant and went inside but not before wiping my palms on my jeans. I had no plan. No idea what to say. I only knew that I didn’t want her to feel like this. Like she somehow wasn’t enough.
I greeted the hostess before going over to Wren’s table. When she glanced up from her phone and saw me, she smiled. “Hey, Bennett. What are you doing here?”
“Hey.” I shifted from one foot to the other, not sure what to do or say. I hadn’t really thought this through. But maybe Liam had changed his mind. Maybe Lucas wouldn’t be deterred by the conversation.
But then Wren’s phone vibrated on the table, and she glanced down at the screen. She picked it up and frowned, shoulders deflating.
“Figures,” she muttered before placing her phone facedown on the table.
“Everything okay?” I asked, even though I knew it wasn’t. I wished Liam could see this moment—the disappointment, the doubts. Then maybe he would think twice before threatening Lucas or whatever he’d done to scare the guy off from dating his sister.
Liam had his reasons, and he believed his actions were justified. But more often than not, they came off like the actions of a misguided superhero who leaped to fix a problem but ultimately caused more harm. His heart was in the right place, but I wondered if he’d ever stop to think before acting.
Wren lifted a shoulder. “It’s fine. I was supposed to be meeting someone, and they had to cancel.”
I was so distracted by her, I didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her so dressed up apart from some of our friends’ weddings. Most days, she was sporting a ponytail and jeans or something easy to photograph in. And as hot as that was, this was…different. Her hair was down and slightly mussed, and I wanted to run my fingers through it. Her dress was more formfitting. Still colorful—Wren was always colorful and, more often than not, wearing something with flowers on it. But this was decidedly sexier.
The way the neckline dipped, giving a little tease of her full breasts. The swell of them pressing against the fabric. The birthmark near her collarbone, a port-wine stain I wanted to lick…Shit. Focus, Bennett.
I stepped closer, placing my hands on the back of the chair just to give myself something to do. “I haven’t eaten yet. Would it be okay if I joined you?”
She nodded, though I could tell she was still upset. We perused the menu, and after the waiter vanished with our orders, I asked, “How was your day?”
“Good.” She perked up, but then her expression darkened. “Or, at least, it was. I’m sorry.” She waved a hand through the air. “What about you?”
“We found a stray dog, so I’m working on locating her owner, if she even has one. And assessing her general health since she was in a sad state when we found her.”
