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“Why does it have to be something like that?” I asked.
Eva smirked as she met my gaze. “BecauseI knowhow you operate. And it’s convenient, right? Nalani is HBIC atNectar, you’re HNIC atWholesome Foods. It makes too much sense for a little mutually assured success tonotbe at play,” she said. “Listen, I’m not judging. I understand the game. Luke is only hanging around to make sure I don’t ruin his grandmother’s winery.”
“What?” Luke asked, choking on a mouthful of food as Eva laughed.
“I’m just playing with you baby. I know you’re here for the pussy.”
Luke gave her the “stop fucking around”look, even though we all knew she wouldn’t, and nobody expected her to, really. She was a well-known “say whatever was on her mind”kind of woman, so it made no sense to get upset over it.
Which, he didn’t, ’cause he knew what he was in for.
As did I, with Nalani.
Somehow, we got out of dinner without answering the question Eva had levied, which could be considered an answer, but one that was unnecessary. As she’d said… she knew the game.
At this level,lovewasn’t always a primary reason a couple decided on marriage. Hell, it might not even rank top five. Sometimes you had to make a decision that was just…smart. Purely strategic.
And that had to be okay.
“Can you drop me off at the lodge?” Nalani asked after we’d loaded up again, as we came to the stop sign at the end of the Honey Branch driveway. “It’s barely out of the way, just right up the street.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Drop you off? This late?” I asked, glancing at the clock display.
“It’s notthatlate,” she argued. “And the bride typically spends the night before the wedding with her friends. Is that a problem for you?”
“It’s not a problem, I just didn’t know.”
“Okay, well… now you do.”
My jaw clenched as I considered my options.
Icoulddrop her off to stay with her friends who were at Maple Leaf Lodge after driving up for the wedding.
Or…I could simply drive back to the cabin, purely to piss her off.
Decisions, decisions.
She was sitting over there stewing, staring a hole in the side of my head as she kept a lid on whatever diatribe she was going to hurl at me if she didn’t get her way.
Part of me wanted to make the right turn just so I could hear it.
Decency prevailed, though.
I made the left turn, taking her to the lodge as requested, and I even helped her up to the door.
“You’re sure they’re in there?” I asked before I walked away, and she rolled her eyes, holding her phone up in front of us.
“Yeah, I just confirmed.”
“Okay,” I nodded, taking a step back. “Don’t do anything crazy.”
She looked me right in the face, her expression and voice both deadpan as she snapped her fingers. “Damn. There goes my plan to sneak into the back of somebody’s car and get whisked away. Or maybe one last hoorah with a handsome local. Oh, or a tourist even.”
“Cute.” I chuckled, starting back to the vehicle. “But just so we’re clear…”
“What?” she called when I didn’t finish the statement.
I took a deep breath, turning back to look her right in the face. “Do not make me come looking for you.”
