Page 35 of Summer Affair
Owen might be six years older, but he was the jokester of the group, always pulling pranks or making ridiculous bets. He had a playful side that was more often than not used for evil, but tonight Clay was going to arise the victor. Not because Owen was wrong, but because if Jillian were to show, she’d have come with her friends. The three of them traveled in a pack.
“I’ll take that wager.”
“Oh, you know I love it when I get to say I told you so. So if she were to walk into this bar right now,” Owen motioned vaguely toward the entrance, “you wouldn’t care?”
“Nope.”
“You lose, you have to run the bar on Saturday so I can get some damn sleep.”
“And when I win?” Clay asked.
“I’ll come do your dirty laundry for a week.”
“Deal.” They both shook on it and Gage rolled his eyes like they were a bunch of idiots.
“Just play it cool, because I’d hate to see you make a fool of yourself. Again.” Owen grabbed bottles of chocolate liquor and marshmallow vodka, then pulled a martini glass from under the bar.
“I wouldn’t throw stones, bro. You’re making chocolate milk in a fancy glass.”
“Because I happen to know that the way to a woman’s heart is thoughtfulness. And Goddess J’s favorite drink is a s’more-tini.”
Clay choked on his beer. Setting the glass on the bar, nearly sending Owen’s cocktail shaker domino-ing over, he turned to look over his shoulder. And trouble didn’t even begin to describe his situation.
Jillian was dressed more for some uptown wine bar than a gastropub, in a pair of black mile-high heels, a short denim skirt—emphasis on short—and,hot damn, a tight teal tank, which reminded him of that bikini. Over the tank, she had on a cropped blazer that added a level of sophistication to the sexy.
He watched her glance around as she nibbled that lower lip, letting him know she was nervous. Then her eyes locked on his and he realized he was the source of her nerves. He raised his hand and, like an idiot, waved. She gave a shy smile, then ignored him, wiggling her fingers at someone sitting on the other side of the pub.
He worked hard to casually crane his neck, needing to see who the hell she was greeting with those big brown eyes, irritation setting in when it was some suit sitting in a back booth.
Clay knew firsthand what booths were used for. They were guy speak for “Fellas, this is going down.” Clay started to stand when Gage put a hand on his shoulder.
“Slow your roll,” Gage said. “Before you go break up her date—and lose your bet—we need to talk.”
He watched her go through the niceties, relieved when she shook his hand, implying this was a first-time meet. Then the guy kissed her hand and Clay was on his feet again. Gage shoved him into his seat.
“You have until she gets her drink, so if I were you, I’d talk fast.”
“Charlie,” Owen called the server, as he quickly poured a glass of white wine. “Can you get these to table nine?”
“Asshole,” Clay said. “And what kind of prick orders a Chardonnay?”
“The kind who’s sweet-talking your girl,” Owen teased.
Clay took a sip of his beer, this time managing to swallow without making a spectacle while he watched Jillian slide into the booth. There was no point in trying to hide his intentions from his brothers. They always saw right through him.
“Single moms aren’t like the women you date,” Gage explained as if he were the expert on all things women. “She was dealt a shitty hand when it comes to men, and I’m not just talking about her ex. She was married at a really young age to a real piece of work, so she doesn’t have a whole lot of dating experience. According to Darcy, she’s trying to put herself back out there but is afraid she’ll end up being snowed by some charmer who’ll break her heart.”
Clay thought back to that first night and the podcast she was listening to, the kind of adorable resolutions she made and, suddenly, the past few weeks made sense. The mixed signals, the way she got flustered around him, and the way she shut down when he’d paid for Sammy’s camp.
“I’m nothing like Dick or whatever his name is,” Clay said.
“No, you’re not,” Gage said. “But when it comes to women you keep things surface. There’s nothing surface about her.”
Oh, he knew that about her the first time they spoke at Gage’s engagement party. At first, he’d thought it was kind of sweet, but lately he’d started to find it sexy as hell.
“So if you’re going to get to know her, then really get to know her. If you’re just looking for a convenient hookup, then walk away,” Gage said as if Clay were dating deficient.
Then he through back to Veronica and realized that he hadn’t been in a serious relationship in over four years—and hadn’t had many in-depth conversations with women since. There hadn’t been a point.
