Page 22 of Wild Promise

“It’s only one date.” One date and a huge pile of regret just waiting to happen. “Besides, he hasn’t confirmed the catering staff yet. There won’t be a date if he doesn’t make good on his promise.”

“What. Ever.” She pushed one of the shots she’d ordered toward me. “That man would ski down Green Mountain naked if you asked nice enough.”

“He’s probably already done that on a dare.” I tossed back the shot, the liquor burning its way down my throat.

“God, I love being right,” she said, ignoring me. “I told you he had a thing for you…I bet it’s a really big thing, too.” She smirked. “I bet it’s huge.”

If Olivia and Lucy were my teammates, Avery was our MVP. Best friends since we were five, she was like another sister to me. Which meant sometimes I adored her.

And sometimes I wanted to strangle her.

“I’ve got something huge for you over here, sweetheart,” one of the work-boot-wearing men called.

“If that were true you wouldn’t need to advertise it,” Avery shot back, not missing a beat.

His friends burst out laughing.

And just like that, I loved her again.

“It’s one date,” I repeated, watching the burly guy try to hide his embarrassment at being shot down by a tiny blue-eyed blonde.

“But who knows where one date will lead. I mean, you two have already kissed.”

“Twice.”

She froze with her drink halfway to her mouth. “Twice?”

Heat crawled up my neck. “He kissed me again this morning.”

Her jaw dropped.

As much as I loved and trusted Avery, I hadn’t planned on telling her this part—this reaction being exactly why—but the booze had loosened my tongue and a few of my inhibitions.

“Please close your mouth before big-dick guy offers you something to put in it,” I begged. “Zane kissing me is not that exciting. Or that simple.”

Liar. Liar. Liar.

“What’s complicated about it?” Her face screwed up in disbelief, the tint of pink in her cheeks upping her adorable factor. “Deny it all you want, Meli, but I know you like him.”

I swallowed back half my beer as I wrestled with that notion. She was right, of course. I did like him. But liking Zane magic-lips Alexander was never the issue.

“We work together,” I reminded her. “And his family owns the resort. What happens if this goes badly? What if my boss finds out?”

“Didn’t your boss meet her husband because they worked together at the resort?”

I took another deep swig of beer to avoid her question.

Still, Avery kept on rolling. “In fact,” she mused, her head tilting to the side like a fascinated kitten. “Didn’t you mention he was her boss at the time? Call me crazy, but I think that’s fraternizing one-oh-one.”

“No, it wasn’t like that,” I argued, the alcohol swirling in my belly. “Lydia and Brant were meant to be together. They’re storybook. Plus, he retired shortly after they got engaged, so it wasn’t really a conflict of interest.”

“Girl, listen to your excuses.” She shook her head and poured herself another beer, topping mine off in the process. “What makes you think you and Zane are any different?”

“I can’t quit my job for him, for starters.” I lifted my refilled beer to my lips, hoping to find more courage at the bottom of the glass.

“Maybe he’d quit his job for you. Ever think of that?”

I choked out a laugh, nearly spitting my drink on her. “Yeah, right.”