She flung the cleaning towel over her shoulder. “Maybe. So?”
I shrugged, glancing at my fingernails, attempting a combo of bored and disappointed, when what I really felt was a strange sense of irritability. I was the one who engaged her in scintillating conversation while carting a three-legged cat around. And Gage was the one she had a crush on? Which was good, I reminded myself. Because that would be awkward seeing as I was on a break from women and would just have to let her down easy when she inevitably threw herself at me. “I thought you were more interesting than that.”
“Maybe I don’t want to be interesting. How well do you know him?”
“I’ve known him all my life. Our mothers used to be friends.” Which wasn’t exactly true. Gage’s mother had invited mine to all her social functions, and they’d run in the same circles, but they’d never been close. Because Lana Buchanan was decent, and she’d obviously figured out that Tori Hale was not. Haven studied me for a moment as if she knew there was something I wasn’t saying, but didn’t comment. I squinted at her as I considered the situation at hand. The truth of the matter was that the entire Buchanan family was decent—more than that. They were good people. And so was Haven. I sighed. “Come with me to the event his family is hosting tonight. It’s at their house, which is about three times the size of this club.”
Her breath caught, eyes widening, but she tilted her head as though hesitant to say yes for some reason.
“As friends,” I said.
“Of course,” she answered, chewing at her lip momentarily. “What should I wear?” she asked. Ah. Was that what she was worried about?
“Strategically?”
“Uh, sure, a good strategy never hurts.”
“Agreed.” I sat back, allowing my eyes to travel down her slim body and then back up. She held herself immobile as though struggling not to fidget under my perusal. “The women Gage typically date have more . . . skin,” I finally said.
“They’re in possession of more skin?”
“Hmm.” I smiled. “Much more.”
“That sounds medically alarming.”
“Very alarming,” I said, deepening my voice and adding a dreamy note. I felt the muscles around my eyes tightening subtly as I resisted laughing.
She was obviously doing the same, her eyes dancing as she stepped toward the front counter and leaned in toward me. As if we were magnetized, I involuntarily leaned toward her, inhaling the clean fragrance of her soap or shampoo or whatever delicately floral scent she wore. I wanted to lean closer, get more of it. She drew away. “Might you mean they show more skin?”
“Oh. Yes. Maybe that’s it.” I grinned teasingly, and was rewarded by the small flare of her eyes. I knew the impact of that particular grin—no female could resist it. Even one who was only a friend.
“So what you’re saying is that if I want to catch Gage’s eye, I should remove several pieces of clothing?”
“Now you’re getting it.”
She laughed, tossing her dishtowel at me. I reached up and caught it easily.
For several moments we grinned at each other across the counter. It felt good but goofy, which was odd since I was seldom goofy.
“Seriously though,” I said, ending the weird bout of goofiness. “Get his attention with some skin, and then roll out your sparkling personality.”
“Is that what you do? Flash your muscles and then roll out your sparkling personality like some grand prize on a game show?”
“I do know how to get ’em, even if I don’t always know how to keep ’em.”
She winced. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. That was insensitive of me. I poked a fresh bruise—"
“I’m kidding, Haven. Sort of.” But speaking of bruises. I leaned forward. “How’s your brother seemed lately?”
She huffed out a small breath. “He’s all but disappeared from the inn. I think he might be sleeping in my car. He probably thinks you’re going to murder him in his sleep.”
Well, that was welcome news. “Good,” I said, sitting back. “I owe you one for not saying anything that might ease those fears.” Murder as a revenge plot wasn’t something I’d even momentarily considered, but Easton didn’t need to know that. “Come as my guest tonight.”
She studied me for a moment, obviously thinking. “Okay yes, I’ll take you up on your offer. I’d love to accompany you to Gage’s charity event.”
“Great. Be ready at seven.”
“Meet me at the bottom of the stairs,” she called after me. I was still smiling as I walked away.
CHAPTER NINE
Haven
I pulled my room door shut behind me, making my way toward the stairs. I smoothed the short, black cocktail dress over my hips, feeling unusually exposed. Although if I really thought about it, the dress was no skimpier than the shorts and tank tops I wore on a regular basis. Well, other than my almost completely bared back, laced with three crisscrossing string ties.