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“Better than I can say for you,” I retort.
He pulls his shirt from his chest, puffing it in and out as if wafting his scent upward. “Smells expensive to me. It’s all about taste, little girl.”
“It actually explains a lot. The kind of women you attract do match your cologne.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He bites his bottom lip, bracing for an insult.
“Come on strong. Fade quickly.”
Ashton chuckles behind his hand. “She has a point.”
“Whatever, Old Spice. You’ve been wearing the same shit since high school.”
He shrugs. “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. And it’s Cool Water, not Old Spice.”
“It’s old now.”
Logan does love the finer things in life and trend-chasing. He’s still a country boy somewhere underneath it all, but he’s the only person at Sly’s tonight wearing dress shoes instead of sneakers or cowboy boots.
I point to Logan’s wrist. “Guess your fancy watch actually tells the right time now, too? You’re early.” I’m onlyslightly disappointed I don’t have more time to catch up with Ashton alone.
Logan wiggles his wrist. “I actually didn’t know what time it was. I forgot to put this one on the watch winder.” He lifts his hand, and a shiny Rolex blings.
I have no idea why such an expensive watch can’t just have a battery in it.
Ashton stands and takes his beer off the counter. “Why don’t you just reset it? Or did your butler not show up today?”
I bump into Ashton. “You’re on a roll.”
Logan brushes invisible dust from his shoulder. “You two are so jealous.”
Ashton takes out his wallet and pulls out his credit card, holds it in the air for Izzy. “Can you start a tab?”
“Sure thing.” Izzy grabs the card.
I lean on my elbow over the bar. “No. Iz, I’ll pay for mine.”
“Like hell you will,” Ashton says.
“I thought you were broke now that you got your divorce?” I taunt him.
His features are more serious.
“Fine,” I concede. “Thank you. But we have the other girls here too in a bit, so we can split it.”
Logan searches around for a suitable table and points. We follow him in the direction.
“We don’t need to split the bill, Jo. I’m sure Ashton and I can manage a few rounds at Sly’s. Besides, I’m on rations so I’m sure it will be seriously less than I’m used to.”
“It’s a wonder you have anything left for your watches and gaudy cologne.” I willneverlet the cologne comment go because even though he’s sparing me now, he’s called metree-huggerbecause of mine more times than I can remember.
As I follow two broad-shouldered men, the familiarity of being with this pair, the comfort of knowing I can be myself for the first time in years, makes Logan’s digs feel like bear hugs. I never thought my heart could smile after being told I smell like cow shit, but it’s doing it right now.
Sly’s isn’t too busy tonight. It’s offseason, the summer crowds have gone home, so we snag a big round table with no problem. Ashton pulls out a chair for me and takes the one next to me. Logan next to him. We shoot the breeze for ten more minutes and order a round of shots ready for when Molly and Georgie arrive.
It’s a whole lot of pleasantries when they do. We tease Molly about conquering our dragon brother, which makes her squirm for some strange reason, and when she says Dash is “nice,” I suspect it’s because she’s a glutton for punishment.
It’s all fun and games, and I’m very relaxed, apart from making sure Logan isn’t eyeing Molly too closely or even thinking of having more than this one shot to cheers for Molly’s new job. The evening goes on, giving me warm and fuzzies like I stepped inside aFriendsepisode. That is, until the conversation turns to Ashton and Chloe which gets me fidgeting.
