Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths, #4)(72)

His ribbing makes me chuckle. “Where’s Cain?”

“Out of state.” My frown gets nothing more. Nate’s as loyal as they come and whatever Cain’s doing, he doesn’t want anyone knowing about. I hope it has something to do with Charlie. Something good. That guy deserves to be happy.

With that, Nate wanders off to the other side of the bar where someone he knows sits, revealing a much smaller man hidden behind him. “That’s a good friend to have in your corner,” Jack murmurs, his eyes trailing Nate for a moment before shifting to Mercy and Hannah, who are flanking Mason, Hannah fluttering her lashes and Mercy toying with his collar.

“So are those two, if you were to ask your son right now,” I joke.

“Yes,” Jack smirks through a sip of his beer. “It would be nice to see him work a little less and enjoy life a little more.” He hesitates. “I’m not sure about that much, though.”

“Baby steps for Mason,” I agree with a chuckle.

Glancing around, he asks, “Have you seen that wayward stepdaughter of mine? She arranged this entire night and now she’s not here.”

Good question. Part of me wants her attached to my side to fend off Mercy’s advances. The other part wants her roped off on the other side of the bar so I don’t get myself into trouble with Jack. I’m beginning to think it’s only a matter of time.

“Spoke too soon!” Jack exclaims, his face instantly lighting up.

I can’t help but notice that my stomach jumps as he says that. It does a full flip as I turn to see a blond in the doorway wearing a sexy red dress and a dangerous smile.

“Oh, f*ck . . .” I mutter under my breath.

She’s definitely up to something.





Chapter 23




REESE





“So I forgot to mention something to you guys,” I shout to Lina and Nicki as we push our way through the crowd. The Grill is usually busy on Friday evenings. Located right on the beach, it’s kind of like a tiki sports bar, with a faux grass-hut roof, open walls, and lots of flat screens. Tonight, the place is crawling with Warner staff.

Too many. And they haven’t left yet. I said the work party was from five until seven—cocktail hour. At eight, they’re still lingering.

“You got married again,” Lina answers deadpan, as if she’s been expecting that announcement.

“Not exactly,” I mutter under my breath. They’re going to flip their lids.

I may flip my lid.

“Where are these lawyers you speak of?” Nicki says, looking as striking as always, this time in a purple corset dress. “And do you think they’ll believe me when I tell them that I’m a lawyer?”

“They’re up ahead. Just say the word ‘deposition’ really slow while you bat your lashes and they’ll believe anything. But I need to tell you guys—”

“Wow! Look at your hair!” Fingers reach uninvited to the nape of my neck, to the layer of black cherry that I had done after work at the salon. The all-blond was boring me to tears and I figured this was still semi-respectable by office standards. “Looking très chic. I love it!” Natasha cries, all hand-flappy, which tells me that she’s most probably drunk. Without stopping to actually hear my answer, she continues, “Who’re your friends?” She sticks a hand out. Lina’s perfectly shaped left brow arches as she accepts it.

“Lina, Law bot. Law bot, Lina.”

Natasha’s heard me call her that so many times, I don’t think it even fazes her anymore. She’s too busy gawking at Nicki’s sleeve of ink, anyway. “Wow, did that hurt?” She reaches out to begin pawing at Nicki’s arm.

“You get used to it,” Nicki offers politely, but her lips are pressed in a tight smile. She hates being touched like that. Giving them wide-eyed looks, I mouth, “Let’s go.”

“So, where was I . . .” I can see Ben’s blond head towering over the others, standing next to Jack. He’s smiling at me, though it’s slightly strained. But his eyes are still raking over my chest and flashing with approval at the strapless red number I bought today. It’s fitted and short, but the skirt flows out like a bell to show my legs off nicely. Slightly formal for the night—especially paired with heels—but with my loose hair and lack of jewelry, I think I can pull off the look. I’ll just channel my inner femme fatale like Nicki does.

I do a cursory scan of heads as I close the distance. Jared texted back to say he’d be here, but I don’t see him yet.

Jack turns to find me standing behind him. “Hello, Reesie.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my cheek. I instinctively lean into his affections with a smile, feeling like his little girl again. Then his gaze flickers over my hair and he frowns. “Something’s different.”

Jack’s a true guy’s guy. Flipping up a few strands of my new hair, I offer with a sheepish smile, “At least it’s not my entire head.”

“Hmm . . . yes.” After a moment, “It looks good. Not too wild.” Glancing over my shoulder at my friends, he smiles and offers, “Nice to see you ladies again. How’s the new condo and the jobs?”

“Condo is good. Job not so much.” Lina doesn’t waste words. If she can say something in seven words, she says it in seven words. Some would take her as bitchy or abrupt.