Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(32)

I smile, shaking my head. "Thank you."

"Come on. I have a table reserved," Leo says, pulling me toward the bar and past the long-ass line at the hostess stand.

"They don’t take reservations on Fridays," I inform him as he drags me behind him.

"They do if my girl’s birthday falls on a Friday," he responds, stopping at the corner of the bar.

The male bartender approaches us. "What can I get you?"

"I spoke with Alexander yesterday about a table for tonight. He told me to come see you when I got here. It’s under Leo James."

"Right. Hang on just a second. I’ll get a server to seat you."

"You got some connections that I don’t know about?" I ask teasingly while pushing up on to my tiptoes to give him an appreciative kiss.

"I have a lot of things you don’t know about." He winks and nuzzles his perfectly trimmed scruff against my cheek.

"Score!" Emma exclaims, patting Leo on the back. "I’m sorry, Sarah. I know this is your favorite restaurant, but it’s ridiculous that they don’t take reservations on the weekends."

"Oh, hush. It’s my birthday. And damn it, I want some pulled pork cheese fries. I’d have waited all night."

Leo starts chuckling. "No one’s waiting. I brought a client here once and had to get chummy with the owner in order to do a pre-dinner security sweep. I made a call yesterday and got a table. However, pulled pork cheese fries sounds terrible."

"Disgusting," Caleb says at the same time Emma and I gasp.

"They are so good!" we respond in unison.

"Oh my God. You have to try them," I tell Leo, who is barely suppressing a curled lip.

Caleb starts laughing and mouths, "Awful," at Leo.

Emma smacks him on the chest. "You are such a liar. You ate half the plate last time we were here."

"You’ve lost your mind. That never happened," he replies, pulling her into his side and kissing the top of her head. "Whatcha drinking tonight, man?" Caleb asks, stepping up to the bar.

"Just water. I’m driving. We rode the bike over."

"Really? What kind of bike?" Caleb asks, immediately interested.

And just like that, the two guys start chatting like old friends. Emma catches my eye and tosses me a huge, award-winning grin. We’re both casually tucked under their arms, and I can’t help but smile as a sense of comfort washes over me. This is how it’s supposed to be. There’s nothing fancy about tonight. It’s low key and simple.

It’s absolutely perfect.



"FINE! THEY weren’t horrible. I still don’t understand how you two love them so much though." Caleb laughs as he polishes off the cheese fries. We had to order a second plate because the guys hated them so much.

Despite how awkward it was when they first met, Leo and Caleb really hit it off the second go-round. After they ignored us for the first ten minutes while talking about Leo’s Harley, they discussed boxing and football and every other sport imaginable. Leo fits naturally into our little group. It didn’t feel like dinner with the parents at all. It felt like dinner with old friends.

We all laughed as he and Caleb told stories about some of the stupid criminals they have come across over the years. Turns out, Leo was a DEA agent before he started his own company. It bothered me that I didn’t know this already. We’ve been dating for a month. I should have known what he used to do. Leo doesn’t pry though. He never asks me about my past, and I think I’m just so grateful that I follow suit.

I know the here-and-now about Leo James.

I know he’s wearing a two-hundred-dollar pair of jeans, but he still orders whatever beer is on special. (That is when he drinks at all.) I know that he can spend hours at the gym, but he finishes almost every night in bed, wearing nerdy glasses, with his nose stuck in a book. I know he loves to talk to anyone about anything but won’t utter a single word during a movie, especially ‘eighties films. I know that, when we go out, he makes me feel like the only woman in the room no matter how big the crowd. I know that he always manages to put my insecurities at ease by throwing himself under the bus.

I know that I’ve never been happier in my life than I have been the last month.

I also know that I’m terrified for when this ends.

"Time for presents!" Emma singsongs, digging in her purse and pulling out two small gifts. "First, this one’s from me."

She pushes an envelope in front of me. I grin as I tear open the paper. I may be thirty-five, but I love present time!

"It’s a gift certificate for a spa…for both of us. We get to go away for an entire day. Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages. No babies crying or diaper changes. Just you, me, and a hot masseuse named Bruno."

"Oh hell no," Caleb snaps.

And at the exact same time, Leo declares, "You’re not going."

Emma and I both bust out laughing as the guys clink glasses in agreement.

"Leo. You’re next," Emma informs him.

"Wait. I didn’t get her a present," he replies, surprised.

"That’s okay, baby. I kind of sprung this on you at the last minute." I pat his leg and look up to find him giving me the look that says he definitely got me something and is insulted that I would believe otherwise. "I, uh, mean…give me my damn present?" I bite my lip.