Page 5 of Wish You Were Mine
“Me too,” Nora added.
“Sure thing.” Owen nodded and turned to grab our drinks. His movements were smooth and confident.
And as he filled our glasses, I couldn’t help but watch the way his muscles flexed with every motion, his biceps subtly stretching the fabric of his black T-shirt. He was different from the guys at school—a few years older, obviously. But I also sensed a confident maturity that was so attractive after dating a dude-bro for so many years.
When he returned with our waters, a guy in a business suit approached the bar, and instead of lingering to chat like I’d hoped, Owen quickly shifted his focus to the new customer.
“You and Nora still heading to Ky’s party on Friday?” Theo asked, bringing me back into our conversation.
“Yeah,” I replied, trying to focus on my brother, though my thoughts wanted to keep slipping back to his friend. “What about you? Were you able to get a babysitter for Charlotte?”
“Alisha’s parents are keeping her overnight. So I should be able to make it,” Theo said with a smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without all the family around to help.”
“I know,” I said. “We’re the best.”
“And humble, too.” Theo chuckled and took another sip of his scotch.
“Of course.” I grinned.
As we continued to talk, a guy who looked to be in his mid-twenties stepped up to the bar next to Nora, striking up a conversation with her.
“Think Nora’s gonna give this guy a chance?” Theo nodded over at the light-haired guy who had started chatting with my friend.
“I don’t know.” I looked at the guy briefly and then to Nora, studying her body language. “She seems interested right now, at least.”
“Yeah?” Theo raised a dark eyebrow. “I can never tell with her.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked, curious what my brother thought about my best friend.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’ve just seen her with so many different types of guys since you’ve been friends that I’ve always been curious if there’s a common thread among any of them.”
“I have no idea,” I admitted, since I’d been equally puzzled about Nora’s tastes in men. “But I think a lot of it is the chase.”
“The chase?” Theo furrowed his brow.
“Being pursued,” I said. “You know, having someone woo her. It’s nice to feel wanted.”
At least, I wouldn’t mind feelingwantedfor a change. Desired. Instead of as someone’s backup plan.
“I guess I can see that,” Theo nodded thoughtfully. “We all want to feel wanted.” He looked back at Nora and seemed like he was about to say something when his phone buzzed. After checking the notification, he sighed and said, “My ride just pulled up out front. I better head out.”
“Got another early morning meeting in New Haven?” Iasked, knowing my brother’s high-powered law firm kept him busy. He was one of the youngest junior partners in the firm’s history and was hoping to make senior partner before too long.
“My client wants to meet before his deposition.”
“Sounds exciting,” I said, still not fully understanding what my brother’s demanding job entailed.
“Very,” he said with a wink, grabbing his suit coat from the back of his chair and slipping it over his shoulders.
“Well…” I stood and gave him a quick hug. “Take care, bro.”
“You too.” After returning my hug, Theo tapped Nora on the shoulder to say a quick goodbye. “See you Friday.” And just like that, he was gone.
I slipped back into my seat. Since Nora was still happily chatting with the guy next to her, leaving me the third wheel, I let my gaze wander over to Owen while I sipped on my water. He was wiping down the counter with a dishrag, and maybe it was because I hadn’t kissed anyone in months, but dang! The way the muscles in his forearms flexed as he moved the cloth...it was so hot. Almost hypnotizing.
I’d never seen arms like his before.
Did he just lift weights all day?
