Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(19)

“Thanks, Wolf. I hear ya, and you’re saying all the right things. I can assure you that he’ll be interested in hearing more,” Allen said.

“It was great to meet you. Looking forward to speaking again soon.” I stood and hugged him goodbye.

“Thank you again for dinner and for taking the time to come see me. I look forward to speaking to you both soon.” He held up his hand and made his way out of the restaurant.

I sat back down to sip my wine, and Wolf was quiet for a moment as he stewed in his seat.

“That went well,” he said.

“Yeah. It sounds like Donovan is definitely interested.”

He nodded, and the server was back with his card and a pen for him to sign.

“Okay, I’m going to use the restroom and then stop by the bar to say goodnight to Teak. I’ll see you in the morning.”

A wide grin spread across his handsome face, which was a rarity for Wolf Wayburn. “See you in the morning, Minx.”

He pushed to his feet and strode away. I made my way to the restroom to freshen up. I wasn’t super excited about heading to the bar as I was tired and ready to call it a night. But I’d stop by for a few minutes. Teak was a nice guy, and a little friendly conversation with a hot guy wouldn’t kill me.

I applied some lipstick and fluffed my hair a bit. My phone had a bunch of texts from my sisters in the group chat.

Everly ~ How did the meeting go? I’ve heard great things about Donovan. Hawk said he’d be a score for the team.

Ashlan ~ I miss you. Come home.

Charlotte ~ How’s the grumpy billionaire? <wolf emoji>

Vivian ~ You will be home for Halloween, right? Bee wants you to come trick-or-treating with us.

Me ~ Sorry. Just finished dinner. Allen is great, and I think Donovan is definitely interested. The billionaire is moody as all hell. I’m going to go have a drink with the sexy bartender, Teak. Of course, I’ll be home for Halloween. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Everly ~ Teak? That’s his name? Like the wood?

Ashlan ~ That would be a good name for a hero in my book. Do you mind if I use it?

Me ~ I don’t know the reasoning behind his name. I barely know the guy. And be my guest. He doesn’t own the name.

Charlotte ~ I’m more interested in the billionaire. So, has he stuck to the truce? He’s been nicer? And you’ve stopped saying he has a small peen? <eggplant emoji>

Vivian ~ <laughing emoji>

Me ~ As nice as a grumpy, broody guy can be. Okay, I’ve got to go. I’ll text when I get to the room.

A slew of I love you messages came through, and I dropped my phone into my purse.

When I walked out to the bar, there were only three people lingering a few seats away. Two busboys hustled around the restaurant that was just a few steps from the bar area, as they tried to clean the tables quickly.

“Hey. Thanks for that glass of wine. That was sweet of you.” I sat down and asked him for a glass of water. I hadn’t finished the wine he’d sent over as I was tired, so I knew any more alcohol would put me to sleep right here at the bar.

He set a glass of water in front of me and leaned over the bar. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful.”

I smiled. It came a little out of left field, but I was here for a good compliment. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

He started asking me a bunch of questions, and we talked about where we’d grown up. He’d been to Honey Mountain a few times, so we chatted about the lake and the mountains and all there was to do back home.

He told me about his family and his little sister. About how he wanted to open a surf shop someday, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he was living in Colorado if he wanted to open a surf shop.

And then my thoughts moved to Wolf.

The way he’d commanded the conversation with Allen.

How silky smooth his voice was.

The way his chiseled jaw was covered in just the right amount of scruff.

I wondered what it would feel like against my fingertips.

“And that’s what brought me here,” Teak said, pulling me from my daze.

“Well, this is not a bad place to be.” I smiled. “I should probably call it a night. We leave first thing in the morning tomorrow.”

“Don’t rush off. Listen, I want you to know something.”

“Okay,” I said.

“I spoke to your friend. I am totally fine with your—er—special situation. So, if that’s why you’re running off, please don’t. Hell, I think it makes you even more interesting.”

“My friend? Who?”

“Your boss. He came by on his way out and gave me a nice, fat tip because he felt bad that the drinks had been transferred to the dinner bill, and he wanted to make sure I was covered. That’s a stand-up dude.”

Alarm bells were going off in my head. What was he up to?

“Well, that was nice of him. But I don’t know what that has to do with me?”

Teak leaned forward and whispered, “He told me, Dylan. He thought you were nervous to come meet me because, well, you know? He said it was an issue for you with men, and he felt bad about it because he said you’re a great girl, and you don’t deserve to be judged by this.”

“Judged by this?”

“My god, people are so shallow. It’s a handicap, really. I would never judge you. Hell, it might be fun to explore.”