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“I have no problem with you being here,” Provo began, his tone anything but apologetic.
“Oh, how kind of you, but I don’t remember asking your opinion or your permission.” Both tables were now clear of cards, leaving half a dozen glasses that I grabbed up quickly.
“I’m trying to look out for you, Vanessa.”
“I don’t recall asking you, and if you are just trying to look out for me, Provo, where in the hell have you been? Lance has been dead for a while now, but this is the first time I’ve spoken to you since the memorial.”
He didn’t have anything to say to that. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Just stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“I can’t do that. I made Lance a promise.”
“Exactly! You were his friend, not mine. I don’t want or need your help so just…leave me alone!”
I felt more emotional than I wanted to be, but it was hard to be Nessa in front of someone who knew the timid, real version of me.
“What’s going on?” Evan’s golden eyes took in my red face and then Provo’s dark glare.
“Nothing,” I growled. “Why don’t you two have a blast just talking about how I don’t belong here and leave me the hell out of it!” I walked away and finished the last few tasks on my list, feeling angry and upset after what had started as such a good night.
My phone chimed and vibrated against my thigh. Emmett. Need a ride home?
I rolled my eyes, sending a prayer to the universe that Emmett wasn’t another person looking to control me. No I’m good. I responded, hoping he wasn’t offended.
Me too. Can’t sleep and thought you might want to relax while someone else drives you home. He added a shrugging emoji that put a smile on my face.
My own personal chauffer? How can I refuse?
Exactly. See you soon.
I didn’t know if that was a promise or a threat, but the idea of seeing Emmett again made me smile. Unlike everyone else in my life—other than Kat and Maisie—he just seemed to want my company. At least I hoped that was it, that he liked me and wanted to be around me. I didn’t need more people keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn’t have a mental fucking break down, to give them a reason to share their unsolicited advice about how I should be living my life without my husband.
Very soon, I hope.
I’ll be outside in 5.
“Who’s making you smile like that?” I heard the delight in Mace’s voice before I looked up and saw his cheeky grin. “Well?”
“How was your date last night?”
He shrugged. “She was hot as hell but not much between the ears other than fashion,” he scoffed. “Obviously, I am a master of fashion,” he motioned to his all black outfit, “but I have no desire to talk about it. Or fashion designers.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe next time.”
His smile brightened. “Hopefully, I’ll have better luck tonight. Come on, I’ll walk you out while you tell me who put that smile on your pretty face.”
I stopped abruptly and stared at him. “You have another date tonight? How? Where did you meet this woman?”
He shrugged. “This one? Online. She plays Call of Duty and gamer chicks are super hot.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. To be so big and accomplished, Mace was a kid. Or just young at heart. “You are quite the character, Mace.”
“Thanks, but you still didn’t answer my question.” One dark brow arched and his lips curled into a teasing smile. “Bet I can guess.”
When Mace pushed the door open, Emmett was there in the first parking spot, leaning against his car, a shy smile on his face.
“Nothing to guess,” I told him and started walking toward Emmett. Even though Mace was a good six inches taller, he easily caught up to me.
“Emmett. He’s a good guy.”
That much I already knew. “He’s funny too. Talks to me like I’m a real adult woman, not just a widow.” As those words tumbled out of my mouth to who was basically a stranger, I realized how true they were. “Shit.”
“That’s a good thing. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Roll with it.”
“Thanks. I will.”
“It’s about damn time,” Mace cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled.
Emmett’s response was a laugh as he flipped him the bird.
Men, they were little boys all of their lives.
Except the way Emmett looked at me as I walked toward him wasn’t at all boyish. His blue eyes were full of grown up, masculine appreciation and I found myself putting a little extra swing in my hips. “Do I even want to know what that was about?”
“Probably not,” he shrugged. “Mace was giving me shit the other day because he says I’m surrounded by beautiful women and I ignore them.” He pulled the door open for me and smiled. “You look beautiful.”
