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TANK
Jane settledinto the passenger seat of her SUV and smiled. “Is everyone coming?”
I flicked on my turn signal to pull out of the driveway. “I think most are. Some of the members and prospects spent the day with their families but are coming to the clubhouse tonight. That’s why Ritz decided to do this at six.”
“This is really nice of him.”
“Don’t tell him that.”
“I know, I know.” She laughed. “He’ll try to prove he’s not nice if everyone points it out.”
I grinned. “Bear said Josie was planning to set shit up outside. Offered to help, but he said no.”
“I can’t blame them,” she replied. “It’s so nice out. It almost doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving.”
I snorted. “Can’t believe it’s seventy degrees today, but I’ll take it.” He gestured toward the windshield. “Should’ve brought the bike.”
She lifted the glass dish on her lap. “Where would I have put the food I’m bringing?”
“I told you not to bring food,” I reminded her. “Ritz makes enough to feed an army.”
“And I told you it’s rude to show up without anything.”
Smirking, I glanced at her before facing the road. We must’ve argued about that for an hour yesterday while she was telling me she was making something, but I wasn’t complaining, especially when that argument ended with me pinning her to the wall and food burning in the oven because we were too hungry for each other. When I met her, I never imagined she could match my needs in the bedroom, but she more than matches me, and I love it. I love everything about her and the life we’re building together, but I especially love living together. It would be an understatement to say I was surprised when she asked me to move in, and I could tell by the look on her face that she even surprised herself, but I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“I can’t believe Bear invited some of the Dimarcos.”
“Way of thankin’ them. They did us a big favor by letting us in on the investigation. We haven’t found Manny yet, but we wouldn’t know the shit we do about him without them. Plus, if we’re gonna make this track and hotel successful, we need to spend time together doin’ shit like this.” I glanced her way when she was quiet. “Is Bree stoppin’ by?”
“She’s going to try.” She nodded. “She's spending the day with her parents, but when I told her we were having a bonfire after dinner, she said she’d try to come after she leaves her mom’s.”
I could hear the sadness in her tone, so I reached over and grabbed her hand. “Did you talk to your family today?”
“I left my mom and Emily a message to say Happy Thanksgiving, but I probably won’t hear from them until later. They go to the country club on Thanksgiving and usually spend the whole day there. Everyone in their circle goes, so it’s an event.” She sighed. “Does it make me a terrible person because I’m happy that I don’t have to spend the holiday with them?”
“No.” I squeezed her hand. “It makes you human.”
My shoulders relaxed when she smiled. She carried a lot of guilt for distancing herself from her family, guilt she shouldn’t have, but she was starting to understand she needed the distance for now so she could move on in a healthy way. I understood that because I had to do the same thing when I left home, and it changed my life.
“Rachel coming?”
She glanced at me, and I saw from the corner of my eye that she was frowning. “I don’t know. I called her this morning, but she didn’t know her plans yet.”
“Is that odd for her?”
“Not really, I guess.” She shrugged. “She’ll likely go to the club with her parents, but maybe she’s not sure how long she’ll have to stay. Or if she’ll be in the mood to come to the clubhouse after. A day with our family can be pretty taxing.” I squeezed her hand again, and she continued. “What’s Erica doing today?”
“Working,” I replied. “She’s set to work through Christmas, and then they’re downsizing the staff, which means she’ll be leaving. They probably don’t realize it, but they’re gonna miss her. Doesn’t matter, though, because their loss is our gain.”
“Is she moving here after Christmas?”
“Yep, she’s looking for an apartment right now. Ben’s been in touch with her and said he can help her find something until she gets settled in, even if it’s temporary. He’s happy as hell that she agreed to be the manager of the hotel they’re building and even happier that she’ll be here in time to help design it. She knows hotels and what guests like. That’s an asset for Ben.”
“That makes sense.”
I turned into the parking lot of the club, and Jane leaned forward, her eyes scanning the lot. “How many people are here?”
“Too fucking many.” I grunted. “I’m starting to miss the old days when we were still a small club.”
