Page 3 of Wish You Were Mine
I burst out laughing. “Apparently, your subconscious wants you to end this year with a bang by having you go after all the forbidden people in your life. First, it’s your brother’s best friend, then it’s your best friend’s brother... Who’s it gonna be next? Are you gonna go after Josh? Your best friend’s ex?”
“Never!” She crinkled her nose. “Ew. No.”
“I mean, you and Theo would be pretty cute together.” I waggled my eyebrows, teasing her. “And just think...we could be sisters.”
“He’s way too old for me.” Nora rolled her eyes dramatically. “Plus, I know you think your niece is the cutest, but I’m nowhere near ready to be trusted with raising a child anytime soon.”
“So it’s only because he’s almost thirty and has a daughter?” I grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Because if you think my brother is hot...I can go up to him right now and ask if the attraction is mutual.”
“Oh no you won’t!” Nora’s eyes widened as she grabbed my arm, yanking me back. “You will not walk over there and tell your sexy corporate lawyer brother that I think he’s hot.”
“Oh, so you think my brother’ssexy?” I grinned even wider.
Her eyes narrowed, but I could see the pink creeping up her neck. “I’m not blind. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to make a fool of myself tonight. Plus...isn’t he still grieving?”
I sighed, my expression softening as I thought about Theo. “He’ll probably always miss Alisha,” I said quietly, referring to my brother’s late wife who had died in a car accident a year and a half ago. “But he’s gone on a few dates lately, so I think he’sready. Come on, let’s go talk to him. We’ve always said we should have been sisters.”
“No.” Nora chuckled, shaking her head. “I get why you’d want this but…roommates, teammates, and best friends will have to be it for us.”
“Fine.” I pouted playfully. “I guess I’ll try to be okay with that.” I was about to say something else when my gaze shifted back to the bar where Theo was now talking to one of the bartenders—and my breath caught.
Because...wow. The bartender wasmegasexy. Dark hair, huge biceps that looked like they’d been carved from stone, and when he smiled at something Theo must have said, his whole face lit up, creating this instant magnetic pull.
“Holy crap,” Nora muttered, leaning in closer to get a better look. “Who’s that?”
“I…” I blinked, feeling my pulse speed up. “I have no idea. But wow.”
“Well, it looks like he and your brother are friends.” Nora grinned, raising a reddish-brown eyebrow. “Maybe we should forget about your plan to spare Josh’s feelings tonight and ask your brother for an introduction?”
I glanced over at Josh, who was now sitting in the booth with his back to the bar, and for a moment, I considered Nora’s suggestion. Maybe it was okay to say hi to my brother.
But just as we were standing from the booth, Nora winced and placed a hand on her lower stomach. “Can we hit the bathroom first? Because I really need to pee.”
“You and your tiny bladder.” I laughed, shaking my head.
We headed to the bathroom, but as we were making our way back toward the bar, Josh was standing there, already getting another drink. When he saw us, he waved us over to him.
“You two are still planning to be our DDs tonight, right?”he asked when we reached him, putting a muscular arm around my shoulders.
“Yes.” I nodded, trying not to feel that familiar warmth and safety that always came when he had his arm around me. “We’re just getting waters now.”
“Good. ‘Cause I’m about to getwast-ed,” he said excitedly.
And even though he seemed happy, a flicker of concern flashed through me. Josh wasn’t the best at knowing his limits, and he sometimes got into trouble because of it.
But he’s not your responsibility anymore…I reminded myself.
Plus, he really did seem happier tonight than he’d been last spring, so hopefully, things were better now and would stay that way.
The bartender finished preparing Josh’s drinks—one shot of clear liquor, probably vodka, and a beer—and set them down on the bar. “Looks like my drinks are done,” Josh said, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead before grabbing them. Then turning back to Nora and me with a grin, he said, “Enjoy your waters, girls.”
“What was that?” Nora asked, looking perplexed. “Do you think he’s already drunk enough that he forgot you’re broken up?”
“I have no idea,” I said, feeling as confused as she looked. “But at least we’re getting along?”
I watched Josh head back to his buddies, relieved that he seemed to be in a good mood at least. Then Nora looped her arm through mine, pulling me farther down the bar to where we’d seen Theo sitting earlier.
Just as we approached, two seats next to Theo became available.
