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So, after nailing it with the first two friends, I suppose it would’ve been too easy to win over the third in the first meeting. But this is a strong reaction. I’ve barely spoken. Maybe he’s on roids. He’s huge, bronze, bald, tatted, and angry. Like he ate Vin Diesel and assumed his identity. I think Ty will appreciate that.
Wells’s face grows serious, his eyes screaming with a warning of sorts. He stands, stepping into his friend, his voice so icy that it chills me. “As Ivy said,Gage, we’re engaged. Congratulations is the appropriate response.”
“That’s right.” Liam lights a cigarette, pulling a deep drag while the silent, heated testosterone party carries on in full force. His eyes illuminate with mischief right alongside that glowing cherry. “Whenisthe big day?”
I shoot a glance toward Ty, who offers me a subtle let-it-play-out shake of his head. But Wells never takes his eyes off Gage, so I answer Liam’s antagonizing question. “We haven’t set a date yet.”
Maybe I’m overstepping here, mentioning the impending marriage at all, but Wells met my father and set a weekly appointment for us to return without consulting me, so it would seem fiancée liberties are up for grabs.
“So, no plans were discussed?” Liam twists toward Ty with that question, eyebrows bouncing with clear menace. Ty chuckles, nodding as Liam says, “Vegas here we come.”
That could be fun. I’m not a huge Vegas fan. Plus, it’s the only city I’ve ever been to, so going back isn’t thrilling. But I won’t comment either way because by the looks of things, this marriage puts Wells in a tight spot for some reason.
He glances at me, eyes roving over my face with an unexpected compassion. “No. New Orleans,” he states.
I’ve never been.
An excited smile breaks across my face, so I swiftly roll my lips in, but not before Wells catches it and winks.
Gage mumbles, “New Orleans,” under his breath, momentarily pacified by the suggestion. “La Lune Noire?”
“Yes.” Wells nods.
The black moon.
I have no idea what that means, but I don’t care. Getting out of town while also commencing this marital obligation is exactly what I need. And these guys, while intense, seem like they know how to have a good time. A bright spot in an otherwise overburdened day.
Wells sits back down, as if there wasn’t some crazy, anxiety-provoking altercation seconds ago, sips his scotch, and turns his leer on Liam. “Where the hell is the pizza?”
“How the fuck would I know?” Liam barks.
“Because you were the one I told to order it, jackass,” Wells snaps.
So, the hostility hasn’t quite passed after all.
“I respectfully disagree, Chief. You had me handling financials while we discussed eating pizza tonight, but—”
“I’ll take care of it.” Wells whips out his phone.
Ty laughs, Gage fixes himself a Knob Creek Bourbon on the rocks at the patio bar, and Liam snuffs out his cigarette, eyes trained on me.
“It seems as though our girl here knows cars, gentlemen. Shall we?”
All four guys escort me over to the massive garage, where I’m rendered completely speechless for a full minute by, essentially, a warehouse full of unbelievable vehicles.
But then I find my words. “Holy! Fuck!” The whole structure quakes with the thunder of their laughter while I begin my rant. “A ’67 Shelby Cobra. Real or replica?”
“Real.” Wells beams, proud, like he was yesterday when he brought me to see the house.
“Jesus, and a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. My father loves this car. A 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster. A Ferrari GTO 250—1963 or ’64?”
“Impressive, Freckles.” Ty chuckles. “It’s a ’64.”
“My father is a car enthusiast, which is why I own theflashy-as-fuckFerrari Roma in your driveway.” I throw a mocking scowl at Gage, who doesn’t seem so sure of me yet, so I go back to ignoring him. “But this is insane. A Bugatti Chiron? What in the actual fuck?”
These vehicles are worth millions and millions. I mean, the McLaren, the Aston Martin, the GranTurismo, and Audi R8 are all cars my friends or their parents own. My father has an Aston Martin V12 Vantage. But a Bugatti Chiron is a three-million-dollar car.
Wells strolls up behind me, his lips brushing against my ear, the other guys and the awe-inspiring car collection melting away.Does he know he has that effect on me?“Pizza will be here in ten. I need a minute with Gage and Ty, but feel free to look around and meet us inside for dinner.”
