The Strength of the Pack (Suncoast Society #30)(22)

“Soothing,” Leo said. “I always feel relaxed after seeing him.”

“Yeah.” She looked to Jesse for confirmation and he nodded, too.

“He seems like a very down-to-earth kind of guy. He’s not pretentious or showy. I like that.”

“He’s got a nice ass,” Leo said.

She turned back to him, arching an eyebrow at him.

“Hey, I’m married, not blind,” he protested.

“He’s right,” Jesse said. “The man does have a nice ass. I’d guess he’s a runner.”

“He did say he usually runs every morning,” Eva admitted.

“Bet he’s got stamina,” Leo mumbled.

“Ha,” Jesse said, high-fiving Leo behind her.

“I thought you wanted me to take things slow.”

“We do,” Leo said. “We’re joking.”

“Speak for yourself,” Jesse said. “Kidding!” he protested when she took a whack at him with a throw pillow. “Just kidding!” He disarmed her and pulled her into his lap. “We do want to see you do the smart thing. And as long as it’s with him, we’re good with it. But if things change between you and him, let us know.”

“What he said,” Leo added.

“Change…how?”

Leo shrugged. “You guys decide not to be anything other than friends.”

“So we know to start fixing you up again,” Jesse said.

Speaking of…her phone buzzed. When she dug it out of her pocket, she found a text from Tilly.

WELL???????

“I guess I’d better call her.”

“If you don’t want her calling here, yeah,” Jesse said.

She kissed the men good-night and headed out to the lanai. Laurel’s bedroom looked out on the front yard, so no worries about her overhearing anything.

Tilly answered on the first ring. “Oh. Hiya. I wasn’t expecting a call.”

“It’s okay. I’m home.”

“Oh.” She sounded downright disappointed.

“No, it’s not a bad thing.”

By the time she got off the phone with Tilly nearly an hour later, she felt even better. Tilly had affirmed it sounded like a solid plan. Taking things slow, working on herself with the counselor, holding back revealing everything until she even knew if there was a future for them as more than just friends.

Then again, Tilly didn’t know everything. Only Leo and Jesse knew, and they weren’t telling anyone. And the counselor, of course, but she was paid to hear everything.

Heading for bed, Eva realized that, for the first time since Leo originally left her, she wasn’t dreading closing her eyes and waiting for sleep.





Nate got home and paced, fussed with things that didn’t need fussing with, cleaned, rearranged the fridge, then decided to go out for a run.

He preferred to run in the morning, but when there’d been times he just couldn’t settle his mind and sleep, especially once Cherise was old enough to be home alone, sometimes he’d run late at night just to burn off nervous energy.

Like tonight.

Although tonight he damn well knew the source of his nervous energy.

There were likely quite a few nighttime runs in his future, unless or until he and Eva took things from the realm of friends into something…more. Were they more than friends, the energy would be burned off in a vigorous lovemaking session that would leave them both exhausted and blissfully sleepy.

All he could do was run until he nearly puked, make his way home, and rub one out in the shower.

Even after doing that, he lay in bed, naked, staring up at the ceiling. He knew every line, every shadow, the way the light played across the ceiling’s bumpy popcorn finish.

They would be going out again Monday night. He wanted to take her someplace nice.

No, he wasn’t rich, which was why he drove a ten-year-old car, but it was paid off and so was the house.

He had a modest savings for his retirement. He didn’t waste money on splurges that would stupidly deplete his funds. Hell, he gave himself a paycheck at the office and Cherise had to force him to take raises from time to time.

But when he wanted to spend some money on something he felt was valuable—like taking Eva out to dinner—he would do it.

Which was another point. Cherise would likely nail him about his feelings as soon as she saw him tomorrow morning in the office.





His baby sister did not disappoint. Her grin nearly split her face.

“You dawg,” she said, careful not to spill the mug of coffee in her hand when she smacked his shoulder with her free hand. “You had a good time last night.”

“Bloody hell, would you please give me my coffee?”

She stuck her tongue out at him but passed the mug over. “Admit it.”

He turned and headed toward his office. “Yes, fine. We talked, and I worked on her again.”

She followed. “Ooh! Did you use happy hands?” She made a jazz-hands motion in front of her face.

He stared at her. “Listen, you little pillock. Just because I love you and you’re my sister doesn’t mean I won’t sack you.”

She snorted, delighted. “Duuude. I just made you go full Brit. Tea and scones and all.” She turned. “First client in twenty. Ta, love!” she cheerfully tossed over her shoulder as she headed back to her desk.