Page 127 of One Wild Wish

I sunk lower in my seat. “You two are such jackasses.”

“Man—” Emmett spat out one word before dissolving again.

“Too damn good.” Jimmy wasn’t much better.

Emmett took a few deep breaths like a goddamn yoga instructor. “I remember her now. Didn’t recognize her that day I visited you. But it’s Ainsley, right? She’s hot, man. Not great in a step class, but hot.”

“Yes, it’s Ainsley.”

“Back up a second.” All humor drained from Jimmy’s face. “Her name is Ainsley and you met her through Habitat for Humanity?”

His intensity had me sitting straighter. “Yeah. She started volunteering there, like, six or seven weeks ago.”

“Does she have long blond hair?”

“Yeah…”

“Curvy girl who looks like she should be toting a Chihuahua in her purse, sounds like a sexy chain smoker, and has a wicked sense of humor?”

I wasn’t just ramrod straight now, the air was leaking from my lungs. “How do you know her?”

“You will not believe this.”

“Try me.” My curiosity was spinning into dread. Had they dated?

He waved his hand in the air. “It’s nothing bad, just…wild. Sounds like she’s one of Rachel’s best friends.”

“Like Rachel Rachel?”

“No, dipstick. My other girlfriend.” He shook his head. “There are three of them, best friends who happen to have the same birthday. They met when they were out celebrating turning twenty-one. They’ve been close ever since. Ainsley had mentioned wanting to volunteer for something ages ago, and Rachel knew you were at the build and suggested it, but we didn’t think she’d actually joined up.”

What were the odds? Maybe there was destiny involved in our meeting. A reason we’d found each other. “Wild is an understatement. You know her well?”

“Just met a handful of times, but the girls are really close. I’m guessing Rachel doesn’t know about you, or she would’ve brought it up.”

I didn’t imagine Ainsley would have gushed to her friends about the gay man she fancied. What about now? I hadn’t told her about my divorce or why I was heading to D.C. If she confided in Rachel and they put two and two together, the things I’d avoided would sound way worse than they were. “Does Rachel know about my divorce?”

Jimmy’s nose was in his glass, his eyes closed as he inhaled his wine’s bouquet. He swished a sip around his mouth then swallowed. “No. She knows you were in a relationship and are single now, but nothing more. You’ve always been tight-lipped about it. Figured it wasn’t up for public discussion.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “Thanks. I haven’t told Ainsley yet.”

Emmett cleared his throat. Fixated on Jimmy’s revelation, I’d happily ignored my obnoxious brother. Or maybe he was ignoring us—his attention was lasered in on Cameron. “I’m gonna get the next round.” He scraped back his chair and strutted to the bar like he owned the place.

We watched him a minute. Emmett leaned his weight on the bar. Cameron looked shy as he smirked and rubbed the back of his neck.

Jimmy cocked his head. “Is Cameron gay?”

“Whatever he’s into, he has his sights set on Emmett. I warned him about Casanova already.”

“That’ll be interesting.” He turned his dark eyes on me. “Might not be my place to say anything, but if you’re into Ainsley, don’t you think you should tell her about your ex? Unless things are casual.”

I had no idea what things were with Ainsley. When we’d left the park to get her lunch, we fell into step. Our arms had swung in time, the backs of our hands nearly touching. I wanted to interlace our fingers, fold her small hand over my forearm and hold her close. Except I had no clue if Ainsley wanted that kind of affection. We often laughed. We enjoyed our time together. There was no doubt our attraction was mutual. But she was a free spirit who spoke her mind, and the pain she’d hinted at in her past could have soured her toward relationships. A hookup might be all she was after.

“It’s not casual for me. I’m really into her, but she works for a bunch of dicks who cheat on their wives, and I think she has personal experience with that hell. Not sure she’ll take kindly to my divorce details. Haven’t figured out how to tell her.”

A few people stood from their table and squeezed by us to leave. Jimmy pulled his seat closer. “I can’t help if I don’t know specifics.”

I’d already spilled all to Nana. I was ready to ignore my lawyer’s advice and get involved with a woman before the divorce was finalized. There was no point continuing this charade. Head bent, I laid out the gist of it. How Tessa had freaked when I told her I wanted out. That she blamed me. Claimed I was having an affair. My anger and irritation rose with each word.