Overheard (Unspoken #2)(13)

He gestured toward the dance floor. “You ready for round two?”

Chapter Seven

“So what is Jeremy doing for you for Valentine’s Day?” Gracie asked as she leaned against Michelle’s kitchen counter. She, Ellie Turner and Michelle were all gathered in the kitchen while the men sat in the living room ready to watch the fight.Michelle stopped stirring the tea and set the pitcher aside. She smiled ruefully. “Nothing romantic I imagine. He’ll probably finish painting the baby’s room and we’ll probably go pick out the crib.”

“Sounds exciting,” Gracie said dryly. “What about you, Ellie? If I know Jake, he’s planned something terrific.”

A blush worked its way over the pretty brunette’s face. “I don’t know exactly,” Ellie said. “He told me not to make plans.”

Michelle grinned. “Jake does plan the most wonderful surprises.”

Gracie nodded. “Lucky bitch. What I wouldn’t give for a man to look at me the way Jake looks at you, Ellie.” Even as she said it, the memory of the way Luke had stared at her on their date sent a slow burn straight up her spine.

Ellie laughed and blushed again. “I’m not complaining. I’m so lucky to have him.”

Michelle reached over and patted her arm. “No, honey, he’s lucky to have you.”

“No doubt,” Gracie agreed. “Who else would put up with all that testosterone?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Gracie. You have to admit all that bottled he-man stuff is awfully sexy,” Michelle said cheekily.

“I swear those pregnancy hormones are raging. You must keep Jeremy awfully busy,” Gracie said dryly.

Michelle blushed. She actually blushed. Gracie crowed in delight. “Busted!”

The three women dissolved into laughter.

“What about you, Gracie? Got any plans with Luke?” Michelle asked pointedly.

Gracie felt her cheeks heat, but damn it, she was not going to betray herself like the other two women. “Yeah, we’re spending the weekend together.”

Michelle raised one eyebrow. “The weekend as in you’ll have a couple of dates or the weekend as in spending every minute together?”

“The latter,” Gracie replied.

“Wow, you guys move fast. Going anywhere special?”

“I don’t know exactly. He’s planning it. I just know it involves sex.”

Michelle pinned her with a questioning stare. “You nervous?”

“Of course I am. This isn’t just any guy. I don’t want to screw things up.”

“You’ll do fine,” Michelle soothed.

“Luke’s a great guy,” Ellie interjected.

“What are you girls doing in here?” Luke asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“Gossiping, of course,” Michelle said lightly.

Luke dropped a kiss on Michelle’s cheek. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

Michelle smiled at him. “I’m doing good. Baby’s growing like a weed.”

He turned to Ellie and gave her a quick hug. “What about you? Jake treating you good?”

Ellie’s smile lit up her entire face.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Luke said.

Then he turned his attention to Gracie.

Gracie felt an odd shiver as Luke reached to pull her into his arms. He kissed her lightly on the lips before pulling away.

“The fight’s starting. I wondered if y’all needed help with the snacks,” he said.

The girls put it into high gear. Gracie shoved a tray at Luke while Michelle collected the tea pitcher and the bags of chips. Ellie grabbed the glasses of ice and followed everyone else into the living room.

It was a familiar scene. One that brought Gracie comfort. All of them gathered at Jeremy and Michelle’s to watch a UFC fight.

“Hey, Gracie, come sit,” Wes called. He patted the spot beside him on the couch.

Luke sat down on the floor in front of her and leaned back between her legs so his back rested against the couch. Ellie sat nestled in Jake’s arms, and Gracie felt a pang of longing at the couple’s obvious devotion.

They spent the evening laughing and having a good time. Luke didn’t go out of his way to latch onto her in front of the others, a fact she was grateful for.

She didn’t want to flaunt her budding relationship with Luke. She still felt awkward about it and didn’t want to extend that discomfort to the rest of the group. And to everyone else’s credit, they’d acted completely normal.

The fight had been over a few minutes when the doorbell rang. Jeremy got up and disappeared from the living room to answer it. A few seconds later, he reappeared.

“Gracie, Keith is at the door for you.”

Gracie stiffened. Why now of all times? Did he never think to call or at least go by her house if he had something he wanted to say? Why he was fond of making a scene in front of her friends, she’d never know.

“Has he been drinking?” Gracie asked as she got up.

Jake’s eyebrows shot up, and his face darkened.

Jeremy shook his head. “I don’t think so, and he’d be a damn fool to show up here if he had.” He winked at her. “I gave him my best cop stare and told him he better not start any shit.”

Gracie grinned. “Thanks, Jeremy.”