Cole’s small smile deepened. If I didn’t know him better, I’d think it was almost a secret, borderline flirty, smile. Get a few drinks in the guy, and he turned into a different person.
“What’s the question?” Mason asked, obviously curious.
“I tried to get Beck to tell me who he thought was the hottest of the four of you.”
Everyone laughed. Pia called out Mason’s name as Delaney did with Parker. All eyes were on Beck.
He sighed. “Alright, alright. So let’s look at this clinically.”
“Ah, fuck.” Mason went to the fridge. “I need another drink for this.”
“If we’re talking classically handsome, probably Cole. I mean, look at his bone structure. At least, what I can see under those glasses.”
Cole removed them, gave Beck a smolder, at which everyone laughed. When I’d asked Beck in the past how he fit into the group, Beck always said he had a fun side. Guess I never had a chance to see it.
“On the other hand, if you like ex-military types, rough around the edge, if you know what I mean?—”
“Oh my God.” Pia howled with laughter.
“Then clearly Mason’s your guy.”
Parker made a face, knowing he was clearly next.
“And Parker, my man. Rugged good looks. Good with his hands. All around nice guy. He’s a tough one to beat.”
Parker lifted his drink. “I’ll take it.”
“You’re such a cheater,” I said. “You can’t choose everyone.”
“Hold up,” Beck said, as the gang all agreed with me. “I’m not done.”
This oughta be good.
“If we’re talking all around hotness, a little bit of the best of each, but adding in a touch of humor, which the ladies like…” He winked at me. “Hands down, I’m the winner.”
A round of boos and “cheater” and “you can’t choose yourself” greeted his announcement. As they did, I stared at him. My best friend. My old neighbor. Of course, I could never admit it out loud, and certainly never to him, but…
He was right.
7
BECK
“Fresh cup?”
I turned from my view of the lake to see Cole walking toward me. As always, he looked crisp and fresh, as if we hadn’t been drinking half the night. I rarely got hung over, but I also didn’t usually drink copious amounts of tequila.
“Thanks,” I said, putting my coffee mug on the table between the two Adirondack chairs positioned perfectly for the view. Handing it to me, he sat.
“Mighty considerate of you.” I took a sip of hot coffee as he sat.
“Was Pia’s idea.”
“Of course.”
We sat in silence, one benefit of a long friendship. Breathing in the fresh spring air, I thought of how much fun I’d had last night. Of driving Mae home earlier. Of the tinge of sadness that surrounded her. And of the guilt of being glad Mae was back, without a fiancé, knowing how torn up she was about it. Despite the show she put on for the others, Mae wasn’t herself last night. Made me want to kill the asshole that caused it.
“Now I know why Mason insisted on that rule.”
