“But you’ve had better.”

“Yep. From my own kitchen.” I would’ve loved to cook a meal for Reese. An impossible dream that filled me with sadness. I’d soon be all married up. Stiffening my spine, I pasted a smile on my face. “What do you think of the food?”

“So far, so good,” he answered. “Left up to me, I would’ve blown this joint for barbeque.”

“You should’ve told me. I like barbeque.”

His smile lit up his face. “Now she tells me.”

“You didn’t choose this place?”

“Louisiana picked.”

An agitated breath escaped me and I shifted in my seat, resting my elbows on the table and leaning forward. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I hope that you do.” I’d try a different question, since he’d evaded the first one. Pursing my lips, I met his gaze. “IsLou Lou married?”

“What gave you that idea?”

That was a yes. First, he’d punted the response back to me. Now this. Answering a question with a question was classic diversionary tactics in my eyes. I’d play his game.

“He disappears for days at a time. He prefers to call Nova, instead of the other way around. When she does call him, it’s always at very specific times. They rarely go on real dates. If they do, I’m usually involved as if I’m running interference. If he doesn’t live at the clubhouse, Nova doesn’t have any other address for him. We have to call himLou Lou.Every time she mentions commitment, he storms away, then breaks up with her, then lures her back with promises and pretty words. It sends my bullshit meter into overdrive. Nova falls for it every fucking time. Is he married or not? I say yes.”

“What do you intend to do with any information I give to you? Take it to your friend? Messengers are usually fucked up.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’ve known Nova since we were kids. She’s two years older than me, but she’s a romantic.”

“And you aren’t?”

“Nope. I have no place for romance. My brother has a revolving door. His two attempts at relationships didn’t work. I’ve witnessed my fair share of shit that I’d love to erase. If I seehis hairy ass as he fucks a random woman on the sofa once more, I’m going to fucking scream.”

“Don’t scream, sweetheart. Get a fucking bat and whack his assliterally.”

I giggled and Reese smiled. His wink made my heart flutter.

“He gave you the bedroom?” he asked when the moment passed.

“Our family home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. According to him, privacy is only for a special woman. Before I moved to my own place, I made sure to stay awake when he was out and look at the camera when I heard him to make sure he was alone. If he has a girl with him, I stay in my room until she leaves.”

“Good idea.” He cocked his head to the side. “My turn to ask you a question.”

“Fuck off,” I said with a laugh. “You never answeredmyquestion.”

“I did. In so many words. A direct answer might give you information that makes you culpable if this ends badly. Say heismarried. You don’t tell your friend, shit goes sideways, and she discovers you knew the score. What then? She’d blame you for withholding the information.”

“I think he’s married and I’ve told her so.”

“That’s your gut feeling?”

“It is, but Nova doesn’t believe me.”

“Always follow your instincts, Ainsley.”

“Fuck, I knew it!”

“So now what?”

I didn’t knowthat. Nova adored Louisiana. They’d been in their cycle of misery for two years. “What’s your question?” I asked irritably.

“You said you want a night of fun with me, but I doubt it’s the usual. So what did you have in mind?”