Ah, so it’s a career thing.
“You have to know somebody.”
She looks up at me. “I don’t.”
She only maintains eye contact for half a second longer, but I see something there. A guard that’s been lowered, and there was a boatload of pain right behind it. It was brief, but it was there. I don’t know what’s going on in her life, or what burden she’s carrying on those rigid shoulders, but it’s abundantly clear that Arden is having a terrible day.
I say what I say next because I know I’m right. Something’s different about her today. She’s a bit more haunted. I also say itbecause I’m still trying to win her over. I’m not going to lie about that. I’m taking this opportunity the universe handed to me and riding it all the way to the moon.
I highly doubt she’ll agree to anything I have to say, but I’m willing to miss the shot if there’s half a chance she’ll take it.
She wants to be smothered in love by four-legged little shits?
“Red,” I say, and she immediately glares my way. I flash her a grin. “I’ve got someone you should meet.”
It takes a minute and a bit more sweet-talking, but because the universe wants us to do this thing I’ve plotted and played out in my mind one hundred times now, she rolls her eyes and gets up to follow me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
carter
“Whose house is this?”Arden asks hesitantly, peering up at the enormous mountain-home that belongs on the front page of a magazine. Despite there being no mountains in the vicinity, this house looks like it belongs in the richest neighbourhood in Colorado.
Gray stone and black accents. Black framed, floor-to-ceiling windows. A door that an army could fit through with ease. The back of the house is even nicer. Balconies on the top two levels and an insane deck on the bottom that is perfect for entertaining large parties. In my opinion, the real star of the show is the middle balcony off of the living room, where we usually hang out.
Their place overlooks some water, which I know Sweets is all obsessed with. But it was the property that won them over. Lots of space. Lots of room for mutts. Lots of privacy. The dream, really.
“Declan and Penny’s.”
Arden whirls toward me, pretty brown eyes full of fire. “You didn’t tell me we were cominghere!”
Can we get over this already? I want to forget that she almost jumped into the sack with my best friend as much as she does. Trust me.
“Relax, you didn’t fuck him,” I say, putting the vehicle in park. I glance over at her. She’s clearly uncomfortable. She’s glaring at me now, and I really gotta remember not to be so blunt with the whole Lowesy thing if I want this girl to like me. That’s twice now with horrible results. “And even if you did, that’s ancient history. He doesn’t care. She won’t either.”
“Of course, she will.”
“She won’t,” I promise, because I know her. Sweets isn’t going to give a shit about what Declan did or didn’t do before they got together. She’s possessive as hell over him, but she’s not unreasonable. Just in love.
“It’s still weird.”
“Get over it. I’m delivering you a friend on a silver platter right now, and she’s a great one.” I’m being a bit harsh, but honest. Arden wants friends who aren’t coworkers? The girl in this house is one of the best, and she’s got a family of dogs that Arden can cuddle with.
“I don’t need new friends,” she murmurs, but undoes her seatbelt anyway. “And I’m here for canine therapy. That’s it.”
I ponder that statement. Everyone needs friends, don’t they? I know she has those two chicks she’s always with at the bar, but I don’t know how big her circle actually is. I like my circle big, crowded, and full of people. The more the merrier. I want a fucking school full of friends. That way, there is always somebody to talk to and someone to do something fun with. I love that shit.
Arden might be the exact opposite of me in that regard, and I don’t know if that bodes well for me.
We walk up the wide driveway, and Arden takes in everything from the lawn, the three-car garage, to the array of decorPenny organized on the front step. She’s got these stylish black chairs by the door and a side table shaped like—get this, a mug of coffee.
I knock twice, but push open the door without waiting for them to answer. I already pre-warned Dec on the way here. Pre-begged, I should say. He complained for two paragraphs about how he just wanted to eat food and nap on a rare Saturday off, but caved when I promised this would be humiliating for me.
I’m about to lay it on thick for a few hours. He can hold this against me for years. It’s a win-win.
“Mom! Dad! You home?” I call out as I kick off my shoes.
“Dear god,” Declan grumbles.
