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I missed Cindy the most on days when I couldn’t muster a smile for my wife. She’d try to cuddle me and get me to talk, but I couldn’t bring myself to say what was on my mind. She’d egg me on, telling me that she wanted to be my best friend. She insisted that husbands and wives should be best friends and I’d nod even though I thought that was bullshit. I’d tell her that she was my best friend, mostly because it kept her placated. But we both knew that was a lie. We’d get in a tiff because Emmeline would insist that if Cindy were there, I’d tellherwhat was wrong.
And she was probably right.
I took out my phone and typed a message to Carter.
Luke: Who all is there?
Carter: Dude, can’t talk right now. They’re going to think I’m cheating.
Luke: I just want to know who’s there. Just you and Elias and Kieran?
Carter: So far.
Luke: Is anyone else coming?
Carter: Man, I’m not sure what you’re getting at. But if you want to know who’s at the bar… come to the fucking bar.
I rolled my eyes and dropped my phone down on the bed next to me.
I had to face the truth. If Cindy wanted to see me, she would have done it by now.
I sighed heavily and trudged over to the bathroom. I had to work the next morning, after all. I tugged my shirt up over my head and kicked off my jeans before pouring myself into bed and turning out the light.
Ding.
I checked my phone and found a message from Carter. Apparently, he was no longer worried about being accused of cheating.
Carter: Hey, remember that chick you used to hang out with in high school? I think she’s here.
I blinked a few times at the message.
Cindy was there. At Rook’s. Right there if I wanted to find her.
Apparently my body was making the decision for me. I was up, out of bed, digging through my closet for a clean pair of jeans and a fresh T-shirt.
I walkedinto Rook’s and, to my surprise, the room was silent. Every head in the room seemed to be turned toward the trivia board. But whoever was doing the hosting wasn’t asking typical questions. I strode over to the bar, but even the bartender was focused on the action in the middle of the room.
I made my way farther into the room and finally saw what was going on.
The woman who was hosting the trivia night was down on one knee, presenting a ring to Stephanie Lawless.
“Stephanie Juliette Lawless, since the moment I met you, I knew my life was changing for the better,” the trivia host said.
I stopped, standing behind a woman with long, dark brown hair, wearing an off-the-shoulder blouse. She should have been unremarkable, but for whatever reason, I found myself staring at this woman’s bare shoulder and the curve of her neck. Her hair was wrestled up into a ponytail that hung almost down to her waist. I could only see her back, but it was clear that this woman was fit. She was built like a runner, slim but muscled, and there was something about her standing in front of me that made me want to move in right behind her and place my hands on those shoulders possessively. Like I was her man.
It was weird. I was getting all of that from just shoulders.
I shook my head and turned my attention back to the women getting engaged.
“Steph, will you marry me?” the host asked.
Stephanie gasped. “Yes, Maya,” she finally answered. “I will marry you.”
Stephanie took her fiancée’s hands and pulled her back up to her feet, kissing her lips as the crowd clapped and cheered. I saw my brothers at their trivia table up on their feet, celebrating their friend. Carter wolf-whistled as Maya dipped Stephanie dramatically and deepened their kiss.
The woman in front of me clasped her hands in front of her mouth adorably. I mean, I assumed it was adorable. Her ponytail bobbed as she rose up on her toes for a second, and I leaned in a little closer smelling something oddly familiar and triggering. Tart. Fruity.
Cherries.
