Page 54 of Four Dates and A Forever
So he’d kept himself busy, spending a lot of time not doing what he’d come home to do. And that was write. So last night he’d stayed on his boat, with only his guitar and the faint hint of lavender on his shirt for company, determined to put something to paper. And what he’d come up with was the beginnings of something decent. Better than decent, it had the potential to be a hit. Which was why he was at his agent’s office.
Holding Littleshit, he strode down a hallway lined with signed sports paraphernalia and platinum records. Half of those records belonged to Subtle Warfare. Rhett was looking to put a few up there with his solo album. He was over being a pussy, over writer’s block, and over letting his old insecurities, which came from his divorce, define him. He was ready to get down to work.
Arf.
Littleshit looked up at Rhett and panted happily, his tail swishing so hard his entire backside wiggled. Rhett gave him a ruffle behind the ears. The dog might be a menace, but he was Rhett’s menace. Plus, he’d come to like the ball of floof. The mutt was the only constant in Rhett’s life at the moment.
He was hoping to change that.
“Hey, Holly,” he said to Gage’s secretary, setting Littleshit on the floor and choking up on the leash.
“Long time no see.” Holly stood and came around to give him a welcoming hug, which was big on the welcome. She was tall, stacked, and slid up against him in a blatant invitation.
A few months back, they’d shared a night and it had been a good time. So good he’d been looking for another opportunity to see her. The expression flashing on her face said she was open for a replay.
A few weeks ago, it would have been go time. But suddenly, Rhett wasn’t feeling it.
Problem was, he hadn’t felt it for another woman since Elsie moved in. It was one thing to go without when you were locked away in a basement, it was another when the opportunity was staring you in the face and there wasn’t even a stir.
He checked in with his dick, willing it to do something, but it was silent on the subject. Holly must have sensed the change because she stepped back with awell isn’t that a shamesmile.
“Is Gage in?”
“Yes, but… ” Her eyes fell to Littleshit, who was dressed like a backup singer for Britney Spears. Thanks to his ex, the dog wouldn’t leave the house without wearing some brand of critter couture. “There’s a strict no dog policy on this floor of the place.” She pointed to a poster of a dog with a big red X through it—with Littleshit being the poster pet.
At the sight of his face on the sign, negative or not, Littleshit barked and Holly jumped back in fear. Eyes big and wary, arms crossed protectively around her waist, she said, “Maybe you should leave her in the car.”
Littleshit went apeshit, his little legs pumping to get to Holly, straining against the leash, determined to break free and gnaw Holly’s heels right off her feet. “Heisn’t big on being left alone. Plus, Gage would love to see his nephew.” He looked down at Littleshit, who ran around in excited circles. “Isn’t that right, boy.”
Yip. Yip. Arf.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Holly said as Rhett ignored her and strode to the closed door, Littleshit following in his wake. “Plus, Gage is in an, um, meeting.”
“I know.”
Against Holly’s protest, Rhett opened the door and—
“Jesus!” He looked away against the image of Gage getting up close and personal with his wife, Darcy.
“Seriously?” Rhett said, lifting the dog and shielding his eyes.
“Sorry, bro.” Darcy was trying to untangle herself from Gage like it was an Olympic sport, but Gage wasn’t so fast to let her go. “But in my defense, you didn’t call.”
“I need to call to see my brother?”
Gage pointed to his watch. “At eight in the morning? Yeah.”
“Eight?” Darcy said, buttoning the top button of her dress. “I’m supposed to meet a new couple at eight thirty. I’m going to be late.” She smoothed down her hair, which did not help one bit. “How do I look?”
Gage tucked a stray hair behind his wife’s ear. “Like you just got lucky.”
“Rhett?”
Rhett held up his hands. “I plead the fifth.”
Darcy was a wedding planner, who owned one of the most popular venues on the west coast. She had taken a rundown old mansion and turned it into the destination for the who’s who of Celebrity-ville. Rhett and Steph had been some of her first clients.
She and Gage were proof that love could conquer all, and not just because they’d once been bitter enemies. In addition to being a runaway bride, and leaving Gage’s twin brother, Kyle, at the altar, she’d also kept it a secret that she was carrying Kyle’s baby. It wasn’t until years after Kyle was killed in a car crash that Gage had discovered they’d had a niece. Gage fell hard and fast for Darcy, but it took the rest of the family some time to come to terms with things. The Eastons were lucky Darcy didn’t kick them all out of her life for good.
