Page 36 of Late Nights

Finally, West took notice of the two of them and interrupted. “Gavin,” he called across the room. “Thank you for stocking the fridge and pantry for us and for getting the house all set up. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, of course. That’s my job,” he said, oblivious to how West was not only wanting him away from his sister but was also dismissing him.

“What time will you be picking us up tomorrow morning to go skiing?” West asked him.

“I’ll be here at nine, and I’ll have all the equipment you need.”

“Perfect.” West stood, ready to walk him out. “We’ll see you then.”

“Oh, okay.” He stood, working to hide his disappointment at not getting to stay longer. “Yeah, great. I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.”

We said our goodbyes—well, except for me. It might have been immature of me, but I didn’t care. It was safer to keep my mouth shut.

West walked him to the door. “Thanks for stopping by and checking in.”

Once Gavin was gone and the door shut behind him, I breathed a little easier. It was going to be a long weekend of hiding my feelings. Hiding how I felt about Demi while also hiding how much I didn’t like Gavin because of how I felt about Demi while also hiding how much I hated Gavin trying to move in on Demi. Yeah, just thinking about it all gave me a headache.

“Are we sure Gavin came to check in or check out Demi?” Kate said, waggling her eyebrows at Demi. “He’s super cute. Are you excited to hang out with him this weekend?”

“Um,” Demi answered, looking down and picking at some lint on her pajamas. “I don’t know if I would say I’m excited, exactly, but I enjoy talking to him. He’s a nice guy.”

I worked to keep my face impassive. I couldn’t show any feelings on the matter. I was merely a bystander who had no thoughts or opinions on this topic.

“I was telling her she should have a weekend mountain romance,” Halle told Kate. “He definitely fits the sexy lumberjack role.”

West’s eyebrows pulled together as he took his seat next to Halle. “You think he’s sexy?”

“If the lumberjack look is your thing, then yeah,” she shrugged. “For me, there’s nothing sexier than a guy in a suit with a planner in his hand.”

We laughed as he shook his head at her. But he wore a smile as he put his arm around her and pulled her into him so he could kiss her temple. “That’s what I like to hear.”

She reached up, smiling as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

As nauseating as they could be at times, they really were great together.

“Well, I think you should give Gavin a chance,” Kate said, turning the focus back on Demi. “You never know what might come of it.”

“Maybe you should give Gavin a chance,” Demi suggested with a pointed look. “You’re single too. Might be fun to have your own sexy lumberjack fun this weekend.”

“Ha!” Jax laughed loudly. “Lumberjacks are not Kate’s type.”

Kate turned to look at him skeptically. “Why are lumberjacks not my type?”

“You seriously want to date someone outdoorsy?” he challenged. “He’ll be wanting to take you on hikes and ice fishing, or any other number of mountain activities.”

Kate’s face seemed to involuntarily scrunch in dislike before she quickly smoothed it out. “Maybe he could get me to like those things,” she pushed back.

“Not even Chris Hemsworth could get you to like those things,” he scoffed.

She crossed her arms. “That’s a bold statement. I’d be willing to put up with a lot for Chris.”

Jax gave her a look of amusement. “Oh, I know you’d put up with a lot for him, but even he couldn’t get you to go camping.”

“He could if we stayed in a nice RV with a toilet and running water, which he can afford and would be willing to do for me if I was his girlfriend.”

He patted her knee. “I’m sure he would.”

She gave him a petulant look. “Just because you’ve known me your whole life doesn’t mean you know what my type is. Lumberjack Gavin might just be the one to change my entire outlook on life.”

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