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“Okay. I’ll look around.” She headed toward the ladies’ room first.
She absolutely loved the place. There were so many pictures of real-life soldiers, brothers, and friends posted everywhere. As she looked at some of the pictures of Charlie, Dante, and Trevor before they were in the service and out of high school, she noticed how young they were and how very handsome. She looked at more pictures and then one that looked like it was at Casper’s. It didn’t seem like it was from too long ago, and as she looked closer, she could see the difference in the men.
They looked drawn out, beyond exhausted and emotionless. Her emotions were caught in her throat as she realized this was a picture upon them returning from war. They almost appeared robotic or just hard, stiff, and angry. She glanced toward them now as they spoke with some friends.
They looked a bit better. But she could still see the blank stares Charlie, Trevor, and Dante had in their eyes when they watched her or when they first met.
A mix of emotions went through her mind. She feared that these men had experienced things that made them close up their hearts and remain distant. Those weren’t the type of men she wanted to be with. They would be cold to her. They would never truly open up to her and would probably make excuses when she asked them to. But haven’t I been doing the same thing? I avoid any conversations about the past, about my broken wrist, and about how I killed another human being.
She felt like crying and forced herself to move on to the other pictures. She wouldn’t make them feel uncomfortable or ruin the date they were on. Perhaps staying away from them would be best after today.
“Lori?”
Lori turned around to see Eve, John Luke’s wife, standing there. She smiled softly and appeared very motherly.
“Your mom and dad told me so much about you, Maggie, and Ben. I was so happy to hear that you got home safely.”
Lori must have appeared surprised because Eve looked around then whispered to her. “Don’t worry, my husbands and I wouldn’t say a word. I just want you to know that you’re welcome here any time you’d like to stop by. I’ve been trying to get your mom to come shopping with me in Houston but she’s kind of adamant about it.”
“I’m sure she would love that. I mean, now that my sister and I are around to help in the house.”
Eve smiled.
“I will call her next week and set something up.”
“Excuse me, Eve, could I steal Lori from you?” Dante asked, and Eve smiled.
“Of course, Dante. So nice to see you, Trevor, and Charlie here. You should come in more often. And bring Lori, too.” Eve winked then walked away.
Lori looked up into Dante’s hazel eyes. She absorbed the way his dress shirt sat snug against his chest. She knew from seeing him doing construction work that he had a great chest. It was filled with muscles, and he even had a series of tattoos. She wondered what meaning that had for him considering how much getting tattoos hurt. But then she reminded herself that after today, it may be best to keep her distance.
“Come on, Trevor grabbed a table in the back. We can have some privacy and enjoy one another’s company,” Dante said. That was when she noticed that Charlie wasn’t there.
As they headed into the other room with Dante’s hand against her lower back, she noticed the many people in the dining area and how some stared at them and smiled.
“Where’s Charlie?” she asked.
“He got a phone call. He’ll be back,” Trevor said as she sat down next to him. Dante took the chair beside her, leaving room for Charlie.
They were looking over the menu when she felt Trevor’s hand smooth over her knee. She jerked a moment then turned to look at him. She couldn’t help but to remember the sunken look on his face in the picture and the lines of age or stress that now shown near his eyes. He didn’t look as spent, but she could still see the sadness. She nibbled her bottom lip.
“See anything you like?” He squeezed her knee.
She tried not to be so affected by him, but it was hard.
“Let her look at the menu, Trevor,” Dante whispered then nudged her arm.
“Do you know what you want, Dante?” she asked, trying to steer clear of Trevor’s megaflirtatious techniques.
Dante leaned closer. “Yeah, sweetheart, but you’re not on this menu.”
Oh God.
She felt her pussy leak. Thank goodness the waitress returned with the drinks Garret had sent over from the bar.
Dante and Trevor raised the two beers and Garret waved back.
“Is a beer okay?” Trevor asked.
