Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(87)

She wondered what his wife was like. It was hard to imagine him married. Likely she was as dark and emotionless as Connor appeared.

“Holland,” he said, nodding her way.

“Hello, Connor.” Yes, it was going to be an awkward reunion all the way around, but then what did she expect? Dax’s friends had spent years hating her for the way she’d hurt him. Just because she’d had good reasons didn’t mean they would stop. “If you’ve set aside a room for me, I’ll just go and get comfortable while you two catch up.”

A faint hint of a smile creased Connor’s mouth. “That will have to wait. My wife decided to cook dinner. I’m so sorry, man. I hope you ate earlier.”

His wife was here? So she would have to put up with some cold-as-ice chick who had likely been taught to hate her on sight. Awesome.

“It’s not that bad,” Dax said. “It’s just very vegan.”

The door opened and a slight figure stepped out. Lara Sparks was wearing a bright sundress, her dark hair piled in a messy, ten-pound updo of curls on her head. Even in the dim light, she could see the woman had huge blue eyes.

“Holland!” Petite Lara came at her with a smile and pulled Holland into an embrace, her head resting on Holland’s shoulder. “It’s so good to meet you. You’re like the missing piece of the family.”

Holland looked to Connor, utterly surprised by his affectionate, vegan bride.

He simply shrugged. “Yeah, let her get it out of her system. She’s a hugger.”

Lara’s head snapped up and she turned her husband’s way. “Human beings need physical affection, and after everything Holland’s been through, she likely needs a good hug, especially since she’s been exiled for so long for a crime she didn’t commit.”

“She was in New Orleans. No one sent her away,” Connor pointed out.

Lara stepped back. “She’s Dax’s one true love.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” Holland didn’t want to mislead Lara.

“She’s right,” Dax said with a nod. “I’ve learned that Lara has a deep understanding of the people around her. I think because of all the yoga she does.”

Lara glanced between Holland and Connor with a frown. “Connor, don’t you want to give Holland a hug to welcome her back into the family?”

Holland shook her head. “He’s already said hello. We’re cool.”

Connor’s face broke into the most open smile she’d ever seen on the man. He stepped forward, and before Holland could protest, he’d put his arms around her. “I never argue with my wife. I’m sorry it’s been so long, Holland. But you’re a dumbass who should have asked for help three years ago.”

“Connor!” Lara protested.

Holland laughed and hugged him back, feeling better than she had in forever. “You’re the dumbass, Sparks.”

He nodded and stepped back. “Maybe. I definitely shouldn’t have listened to his drunk ass when he claimed you were the devil. Come on in, Kirk. I brought along some Scotch. Let’s all sit down and have a drink and figure out what the hell we’re going to do. Oh, and you can meet Freddy.”

Lara nodded. “Give me a minute. I need to make sure he’s not in firing position.” She jogged back into the cabin. “Freddy, it’s all right. They’re not feds. Or aliens. Just Dax and his one true love.” A low, masculine voice rumbled before Lara spoke again. “Okay, so she’s kind of a fed, but the good kind. Yes, there is a good kind, mister. There is good in everyone, damn it. Well, all right, you have a point. There’s no good in Reticulan Grays.”

Connor sighed. “Sorry, we let Freddy watch a documentary on ancient aliens. He’s all about abductions now. You’ll have to forgive him. He’s actually quite brilliant.”

“He’s a fucking maniac,” Dax said. “And I’m having a talk with him about his paranoia.”

Holland lingered outside with Connor. “Will he really shoot at me? Because I’ve already had that happen once today.”

“Freddy, no. I’m not going to, either. I’m sorry, Holland. I should have followed my instincts.”

“Your instincts?”

“When Dax told me what you had done, my first thought was fuck no. I should have followed that thought through, but I was scared to.”

“Scared?” Was Connor afraid of anything?

“Because Dax was already married.” He took a long breath and stared out over the water. The cabin was roughly twenty feet from the bayou. She could see what looked like a pier and a boat at the end of it. “I worried that if I discovered I was right, I would have to tell him he’d fucked up his whole life. And yours.”

“I’m good, Sparks,” she lied. “I did what I had to do, and I’ve made my peace with it.”

Connor scoffed. “You’re so full of shit. He won’t give up, you know. He’s missed you.”

“He was married to Courtney for two years, so I question that assessment.”

That truth was the hardest pill to swallow. Dax hadn’t woken up, realized he’d made a colossal mistake, and gotten a quickie divorce. He’d stayed married to Courtney until the woman had left him.

“He was embarrassed. His decision to stay with her was more about you than anything else. He didn’t want to look foolish or like he couldn’t move on. Deep down I think he decided if he couldn’t have the woman he wanted, he might as well give it a try with someone else.”