Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“What?”
“We like her for you,” Harper says with a little smile. “A lot, actually. She fits in, and you’re so smitten, it’s really sweet. You deserve all of that happiness, big brother.”
“We’re having drinks at Lucky’s, not a wedding,” I remind them, but they just smirk or smile at me, and I lift a shoulder. “Thanks. I’m keeping her.”
“He almost punched me in the face for using a nickname for her,” Xander says as Ivy delivers another round of drinks. “Hey, thanks, Izzy.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
“Um,” Ivy frowns and bites her lip. “It’s Ivy. But it’s been a long time. Good to see you, Xander. The game the other night was great.”
She rubs her hands down her jeans and turns to the rest of us. “Anyone need anything else?”
“This is great, thanks,” Ava says with a smile, and Ivy returns to the bar. Ava rounds on Xander. “You’ve taken one too many hits to the head, X. You have the memory of a goldfish.”
“You’re probably right,” he mutters. “Hey, I tried.”
I notice Darby returning from the bathroom when a guy approaches her. They’re close enough that I can hear them.
Our crowd goes quiet as we watch.
“Hey, are you interested in a game of pool?”
I’m on guard, listening, but I know she doesn’t need me. My girl can handle herself.
“No thanks, I’m with some people,” Darby says with a polite smile, but before she can turn to walk over to me, this asshole grabs her arm.
And Darby sees fucking red.
“You’re going to want to take your hand off me. I don’t like being touched.”
She’s not freaking out or having a panic attack. She’s a fucking badass.
“You’ll like it when I touch you,” he replies, and Blake moves to stand, but I hold my hand up and shake my head.
“She’s got this.”
“No.” Darby steps away, knocking his hand off. “I won’t. Go drink your beer, Bruce.”
“Hey, how did you know my name?”
“I don’t. You just look like a Bruce. And for future reference, if a woman says no, they mean it. There’s no charming your way into her pants after that no.”
She walks my way, and I’m grinning at her, so fucking proud of her.
Bruce just shrugs and goes back to his friends.
“Men suck,” Easton says, chalking the end of his pool cue. “They really do.”
“Not all men,” Ava says. “But yeah, some do. I know that guy. Designed his house for his wife.”
“Ew,” Darby says, scrunching up her nose. “Gross.”
Xander keeps looking toward the bar, and this time when Ivy walks our way, he pulls her to the side, where we can’t hear him, and says something in her ear.
Ivy smiles and bites her lip, then nods. She pats his shoulder before going on about her work, and Xander looks more at ease when he returns to our group.
“She looks happier,” I say.
“I owed her an apology,” Xander says. “I’m not a jerk. I still can’t place her, but if I’ve known her since we were kids . . . yeah, I needed to say I was sorry.”
“You’re a good one, Xander Hendrix,” Harper says. “And one of my favorite brothers.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DARBY
“You need a kitten.”
Ava stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “No, I don’t.”
“Come on,” I reply. “You do. And we have some at the ranch that will need homes in like a month. They’re so sweet, and they need you.”
Ava shakes her head. “Chad’s allergic.”
“Then get rid of him,” Harper says, making us all chuckle.
Well, everyone except Ava, who only scowls more.
“Maybe you could just come out to the barn to see them,” I say, still trying. “Maybe one will speak to your soul, and you won’t be able to live without them.”
“You have kittens?” Ivy asks, and I turn to smile at her.
“Yes, and they’ll be ready in about a month. I have the sweetest calico for you, Ivy, and I’ll make sure she has her vaccinations, and when the time comes, I’ll spay her for you for free.”
Ivy’s eyebrows climb, and she taps her finger on her lips. “Okay, sold. I need a companion in my place, and God knows it’s not a man.”
I smirk and give her my phone. “Tap your number in there, and I’ll send you pictures of her. You’re going to love her. You can come visit her, if you want.”
“I think I do want,” Ivy says with a grin after giving me my phone back. “Thanks. Well, everyone, I’m a cat mom.”
“Congratulations,” I say, and then glance up to find Tucker smiling down at me. “What?”
“You’re adorable.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever called me that before.”
“Well, you are. I need some air. Wanna step outside with me, Duchess?”
With a nod, I accept Tucker’s offered hand, and we walk out of the bar and down the sidewalk toward his truck, which is parked in a nearby lot.