Page 104 of Caught in the Axe
“We can tell because we know you so well. I’ve never seen you look at a guy like that. No one will catch on, and he’s leaving soon, right?”
I nodded. “But he’s my ex’s brother.”
“The brother said ex has practically no relationship with. You haven’t crossed any ethical lines here.” She splayed her hands on the table and inspected her nails. “And sure, Cole is great if you’re into gigantic hockey players who are six-six and built like a Mack Truck. But Owen, he’s mature and capable, and even from here, I can tell he’s the kind of manwho’s focused in the bedroom. He pays attention. Wants to get things right.”
She raised one eyebrow, and my responding blush confirmed her suspicions.
With my lip caught between my teeth, I scanned the bar again. It was impossible not to seek him out. He and Gus were shooting pool with a couple of guys who were dressed like they’d probably spent the day in the woods too. The sleeves of Owen’s flannel were rolled up, the muscles in his forearms tensing as he set up his shot. As he pulled back, he turned my way and caught me watching him. He slid the pool cue through his fingers and completely missed the ball.
A laugh bubbled out of me. That was pure Owen, trying to do something slick and not quite nailing it.
“Go talk to him.” Magnolia nudged my arm.
“No.” I forced my attention back to my friends. “It’s girls’ night, and he’s with his brothers.”
Cole wasn’t here, though that wasn’t surprising, especially after the arrest for vandalism. He’d always believed he was the black sheep, but he made things harder for himself. I’d spent years trying to talk sense into him, to no avail.
“Okay, then just keep staring.” Willa said, though I didn’t register her words. I was too busy watching Owen again.
God, he looked good. And while I’d seen him two nights ago, my body was already aching for him. I wanted to throw my arms around his neck and melt into him while we slow danced. I wanted to claim him as mine in front of all these people.
Which was dumb. So fucking dumb. The dumbest idea ever.
So instead, I’d sit here and watch him.
I was reentering the conversation with my friends when a tiny redhead wandered toward the pool table and greeted the assembled crowd like an old friend.
Who was this girl? She wore sky-high heels and had wild, curly hair.
Another woman I didn’t recognize, with long legs and thick bangs, trailed her and joined the conversation too.
“That’s Liv,” Willa said beside me.
I hummed, going for uninterested, but then she got closer to Owen and shook his hand a little too enthusiastically, and my ability to play it cool evaporated.
I twisted my napkin as he smiled down at her.
“She’s a famous author,” Willa explained. “She visits from time to time. I think she’s friends with the Gagnons. My mom’s book club has read all her books.”
“And the tall one with her?”
“No idea.” She shrugged, her arm brushing mine. “Maybe someone from Portland.”
I gritted my teeth, wishing I was the one over there with Owen, laughing and touching his arm. Playing with my hair and tossing him saucy looks as we played pool together.
My heart panged. This was so unfair.
“You could sit here pouting or you could go talk to the man,” Willa deadpanned.
“Just don’t stick your tongue down this throat,” Magnolia added. “No one will know. If you lose control and get too handsy, I’ll create a diversion.”
Feeling a fraction lighter, I laughed. “Thanks for having my back, girls.”
I should stay put with my friends and enjoy the live music and the rare night out.
But my body was impossible to reason with, and Owen was too far away. I needed him close, even if I couldn’t touch him the way I wanted to.
“Maybe I’ll just go say hi,” I said, sliding out of the booth.
