Page 25 of It's a Widow Thing

“We’ve heard so much about you,” Brian said, eagerly shaking her hand.

“Somuch,” Daniel added.

Sabrina wasn’t sure what to make of that, but she was too taken aback by how similar the three of them were—same warm brown eyes, same height and build, same beautiful bald heads. It was more a matter of clothing choices that separated them. Brian wore dark jeans and a black sweater while Daniel had more of a preppy thing going on, in khakis and a light blue button-down shirt.

“Hi. I’m Kendra.” She offered her hand, then got up and moved over one seat to leave a chair for Michael. “And this is Orla.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know where my manners went,” Sabrina said.

Michael sat next to Sabrina. Even though she worried about what Orla might think, especially since she’d made that comment about taking it slow, she was overcome by an urge to take his hand. He slid her a look when she did, punctuated by a flirtatious bounce of his eyebrows. This was a definitive public display of affection, but oddly enough, it felt okay to raise the stakes.

“Do you ladies always go axe throwing for your meetings?” he asked. “That seems more like an activity for an ex-wives club.”

“We’re trying to mix it up. I thought it might be fun.” Sabrina remained solely focused on him, as Kendra and Orla started chatting up his brothers.

“Have you ever actually done it?” Michael asked, his voice dripping with innuendo.

Sabrina laughed quietly and shook her head. How she loved his ultra-flirtatious ways, even when it was a big part of the reason she’d been struggling to resist him. “I have not. But maybe you and I can do it. Together.”

He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb as their gazes connected. Tiny zaps of electricity played at the back of her neck. “I would love to do it with you. If that’s what you want.”

She hadn’t even had a sip of her beer yet, and she already felt a little drunk just from being around him. Could tonight be the night? She was starting to think it might be.

“Sabrina.” Brian leaned across the table to make eye contact. “We want to thank you for dating our brother.”

Michael smacked his arm with the back of his hand. “Hey. Sabrina and I are friends.”

She knew that he was only following her lead, but that didn’t quite seem right. There was a boatload of romantic intentions between them. There had been plenty of kissing, flirtatious glances, and hand-holding. “No need to thank me. Michael is amazing.” Just to let him know that she really meant it, she gave his hand a little squeeze.

Marcus delivered their appetizers and took an order from the guys for their drinks. The ladies all dug in, as did Michael’s brothers.

“Do you want anything to eat?” Sabrina asked Michael. “We have more than enough food.”

“Nah. All I care about is spending time with you,” he replied.

“That’s really sweet.” So sweet that she found herself staring at his lips, wanting to kiss him into oblivion.

Orla proceeded to interject, and started grilling Michael on everything from his job to his parents, especially his mother, who she wasn’t happy with regarding her apparent inaction on lowering prescription prices. He took the interrogation all in stride while Sabrina sat back, listened and observed. He was so damn engaging and quite literally seemed to be able to talk to anyone. No wonder he got so much female attention. Orla already seemed quite taken with him.

Marcus stopped by the table again. “Your throwing time is set to start. They can take four of you at a time. Cage 2. Stephanie is the instructor. She’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

“I don’t think this is for me. I’d rather watch,” Orla said.

“Well, I came here to throw.” Kendra pushed her chair back from the table.

Michael looked at Sabrina. “Can I be your fourth?”

“Of course,” she replied as she rose from her seat.

“Okay, then, Orla. You’re coming with me. You’ll be my partner.” Michael got up from the table and held his hand out for Orla.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m an old woman.”

He shook his head twice as hard. “Nonsense. I won’t let anything bad happen. You’ll find it empowering. I promise.”

Sabrina elbowed him in the stomach. “So youhavedone this, haven’t you?”

“I’m not a virgin, if that’s what you’re asking.”