“Yes to the dogs. Yes to the pizza, but only if you let me buy.”
Penny looks personally offended. She shoots Arden a look of warning. “If you pull out a single dollar, you’re leaving herein a body bag. We’re hosting, we’re paying. You’re eating. Those are the rules.”
Arden glances up at me, almost uncertain.
I do what feels right. I slide my hand between her shoulder blades and lean into her a bit. I try to be quiet enough so only she can hear me, but I know that Penny is going to listen to every single word.
“I tried hiding a hundred-dollar bill behind the fruit bowl once and it showed up mailed to my house the next week with a glitter bomb. Don’t do it. It’s a declaration of war.”
Arden actually laughs. It’s the kind of laugh that makes me stop breathing for a second. She opens her mouth, flashing those perfect white teeth, and tilts her head back. It’s a sound I will spend every waking moment trying to get her to make again.
Damn, she’s hotter than I remembered.
“Fine, fine,” Arden says, taking a sip of her wine. She’s relaxing a bit now. Penny has that impact on the girls around here. “Though I admire your style, Penny.”
“She’s not mentally well,” Declan murmurs over the lip of his beer.
“Maybe that’s why I’m with him,” Penny says instantly, the jab so easily rolling off her tongue that Arden does that laugh again and I want to kiss Penny’s face for making her smile like that. Penny nods toward the balcony, knowing all about Arden and Declan’s almost-moment and not caring. “Now, come and meet the kids.”
I watch her guide Arden out back. I slowly start to follow, but stop once I meet Declan at the island. When I am finally able to tear my eyes from her, he’s already watching me. There’s a small, teasing grin on his mouth and a knowing look in his eye.
Idiot.
“Shut up.”
“I haven’t said a word,” he says.
“Your face did.”
“My face is as handsome and charming as always.”
I roll my eyes. I’m the handsome and charming one. He needs to find a new title.
“You’re the worst. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“And you’re a dumbass. She’s never going to go for this, no matter how many dogs you throw at her.”
“Then you don’t understand the power of my charm,” I say with a smile. I bring my beer to my mouth and take a huge, greedy gulp in preparation for the battle I’m about to walk into. “I’m hoping your wife and the three stooges will convince her I’m not the devil incarnate. I’ll do the rest.”
They aren’t married or engaged, but I call her his wife all the time to remind him that they should be.
“My wife will kill you if she hears you refer to our kids as ‘the three stooges’ again.”
I stare at him. I’m used to that crazy talk from Penny, but hearing Declan talk about the pooches like they’re actually blood relatives is a little weird, even for my tastes.
“They’re dogs.”
“Yeah, well, I’m convinced she actually thinks she gave birth to them, so just tread lightly.” Declan smacks me on the shoulder, nudging me toward the door.
When the pizza is nearly gone, and Declan and I have devoured all the wings, Arden and Penny are on their second bottle of wine. Penny has been making Arden laugh all night, and sometimes, Declan and I just stop and watch them. It’s an instantkind of connection that brings a bit of light back into both of their eyes.
Ever notice that about women? There’s a special kind of love they have for each other. An understanding. They bring so much out in one another that doesn’t happen in relationships between men. Not like this.
Even if she doesn’t agree to this whole arrangement, I think it’d be good for her to keep coming around. Sweets is one of the good ones. A rare one. Maybe it’s a Canadian thing, just being a goodperson. Lowesy is the same. Boss, too. Sweets is a bit of a menace, but she’s kind, she’s loyal, and she’s saving my ass right now without even knowing it.
“Another beer?” Dec asks, standing and smacking me on the shoulder.
I glance over at the girls. “That depends. Do you want to get going, Red? I’m still good to drive.”
