Page 24 of This Feeling

And that must be Evelyn, Brystol’s best friend.

Gavin shrugged. “I invited him, but he said he had to work late.”

She nodded and looked at me. Reaching a hand out, she said, “I’m Evelyn McCain.”

I shook her hand. “Declan Gallagher.”

Her brows shot up. “Sean’s older brother?”

Smiling, I replied, “That would be me.”

“Sorry about that,” Gavin quipped, smirking.

“Declan, this is Cadie Waterford, my girlfriend. Cadie, this is Declan, an old high school buddy of mine. He just got out of the Marines.”

I reached out for Cadie’s hand next. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Cadie.”

She offered a brilliant smile, and I couldn’t help but notice that she smelled like sugar and cinnamon. “The pleasure’s all mine. Thank you for your service.”

“I appreciate that, thank you.”

Turning to Brystol, I saw she was smiling as well…but she let it slip when her gaze caught on Gavin. I nearly laughed.

Then I was looking at Harper. Fuck if she wasn’t beautiful. Her dark brown hair was swept up on the sides and pinned back while the rest of her hair fell in waves over her shoulders. She wore jeans and a blue shirt, making her grayish-blue eyes pop even more.

“Hey, Harper. Girls’ night?”

Nodding, she replied, “Yep, just blowing off steam with the girls.”

“Where is Sean tonight?”

She drew back as if surprised I’d ask. “I don’t know.” Then, as if she just remembered that sheshouldknow, she added, “I mean, I think he’s doing something with his friends.”

“Well, we’ll let you guys get back to your evening while we get ours started,” Brystol said, smiling at everyone again, before giving Gavin a go-to-hell look and marching toward the other end of the rooftop bar. The rest of the women followed. Cadie had to run to catch up since she’d been busy kissing Kian goodbye.

“You’re right,” I said, looking at Gavin. “She hates you.”

“See what I mean? And I have no idea why!”

We all laughed as James shook his head and sighed. “Little brother, there’s one thing you should know by now.”

“What’s that?” Gavin asked.

“If Brystol is pissed at you, you definitely did something wrong.Verywrong.”

Kian laughed.

“I’m sorry, but nope. I didn’t do anything.”

I looked at Gavin. “You just don’t remember what it is, but you did, most certainly, do something in Brystol’s mind, at least.”

Turning to glance toward where the women were now seated, Gavin exhaled. “Why doesn’t she just tell me what it was, then?”

“Have you given her a chance to?” Kian asked. “I mean, honestly, have you actually come out and asked her in a serious way, not in a joking or poke fun way?”

Gavin ran his hand through his hair. “No, honestly, I haven’t, but I don’t care. Far as I’m concerned, she can hate me all she wants.”

I glanced over to the table and asked, “So, Sean and Harper are back together, huh?” Hoping my friends might have some insight into that little mystery.

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