“Have a good night,” Wes and Cooper both said.
On our way back to the apartment building, I told Eliza how Cooper had asked if there was something going on between us.
She tipped her head back with a groan. “He’s such a gossip. Almost as bad as Louise.”
I barked a laugh. “Cooper? Really?”
“Oh, yeah. He loves to know what’s going on. I’m convinced that’s why he visits Gran on her knitting club days. Those ladies know the ins and outs of what’s going on.” She tilted her head to the side. “I’m sure it’s fine, though. Did he say anything? He wasn’t like weirdly overprotective was he?” She scowled, and I had to hold back another laugh.
“No, he wasn’t, and he didn’t say much.” Maybe I should’ve told Eliza what Cooper had told me—about how he hadn’t seen her like this before—but I decided to keep it to myself for now. “He’s just looking out for you.”
She playfully rolled her eyes. “Of course you would say that as a fellow older brother. Maybe you’re the one getting gray hair since you’re the oldest of the group.” She wiggled her brows at me.
I elbowed her side. “Hey, watch it. And I’m notthatmuch older than Wes,” I defended.
When she looked up at me, that fire was back in her brown eyes. “I like that you’re older. Means you have more experience and know what you’re doing. Maybe that’s why it’s so good between us, and why I can’t stop thinking about how good your cock feels.”
Fuck. My cock twitched in my jeans, and I cleared my throat. Our apartment building was within view. I just had to make it another block or two.
“Watch it,” I warned her.
“Yes, chef.” She batted her eyelashes, but she was anything but innocent.
My jaw clenched as I inhaled to keep my composure, trying to think of literally anything but fucking Eliza, because the last thing I needed right now was to be rock hard on Main Street.
“I could so go for a margarita,” Eliza said as we climbed the stairs. “I can make two and we can have them up on the rooftop?”
I’d need a cold shower before we did that, but I didn’t say anything. Relaxing with Eliza and a drink sounded like the perfect way to end the night.
“Yeah, that’d be great. See you up there in fifteen?”
“Perfect.” She flashed me a grin before stepping into her apartment.
It took me a few minutes to get inside my apartment. Mainly because I stood there dumbfounded, wondering how I’d gotten lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a smile like that.
30
ELIZA
“Vodka or tequila?”I asked Leo, my legs draped over his lap as we sat on the outdoor couch, the stars sparkling above us. We’d finished our margaritas, and I was considering going downstairs to make us each another, but I wassocomfortable, especially with the way his warm palm grazed along my leg.
“Vodka,” he answered simply. “You’d choose tequila.”
He didn’t say it like a question. He said it like he knew the answer, which was true.
“Each and every time. I should’ve brought the whole bottle up here.”
Leo shook his head, pulling a joint and lighter out of his pocket. “My body can barely handle one drink lately, let alone two.”
“Ah, right. With your old age.” I grinned at him while he shot me a glare.
Leo set the joint between his lips, the flame from the lighter illuminating his handsome face. I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d look like as he got older. No doubt that he was going to age like fine wine. Would his mustache and beard go gray or be more salt and pepper? Would he get the head chef job hewanted? Open his own restaurant? Would he have kids that looked just like him?
The questions fired off, and once they started, I couldn’t stop them. My stomach twisted, and I wished I had more tequila, so I could focus on the burn of the liquor instead of the uneasiness in my stomach. Why was I thinking about that? Why did I care?
I’d never thought about that before when I’d been with someone, especially not the kids. I’d never cared about someone enough to even entertain the possibility.
“Hey, where’d you go?”
