Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

Glancing again, I read her profile. Sense of humor. Lazy days at home. Looking for a long term relationship. I didn’t mind being lazy at home, but I wasn’t known to make people laugh and Lora taught me I wasn’t really a long-term guy either.

Not wanting to get caught snooping, I left the tiny kitchen and went to her living area.

“Ready?” she said emerging from the bedroom. “Help me, would ya.” She reached out and held my arm as she balanced on one foot and put on a heel that had to be four inches. She switched sides and it was all I could do to keep from letting the hold from her fingers on my bicep send a message to my dick to get ready.

I cleared my throat again. “You should turn your computer off. It’s not wise to leave it on when it’s unattended.”

“Oh right.” She went to the kitchen. “It’s so convenient to have a friend who can keep me safe online.”

Friend. That word was quickly becoming one I hated.

She smiled. “You’ve got more to your costume than what you’re wearing now, right?”

“It's in the car,” I assured her. “Ready?”

She smiled like she was about to go have the time of her life. That was the thing about Petal, everything she did, she did it full-throttle with an enthusiasm that I envied.

She grabbed a bakery box, and then preceded me down the stairs and I stifled a groan as I watched her sweet ass sway as she went down.

I opened the car door for her and helped her in. I took a breath before getting in the driver seat to bolster myself against the feminine power she had over me. We drove out to April and Jude’s house. Apparently, it had been the house April grew up in, and had inherited when her folks died. Now she and Jude were raising their family there.

I parked and reached for the rest of my costume. I stepped out of the car, putting on my mask and hat. Then I put on my gloves and slipped the sword into the belt.

“Oh my. Zorro. Muy caliente.” Petal waggled her brows

I was glad I had a mask on and hoped it covered the pink I was sure was spreading on my hot cheeks. I gave a curt nod to head to the front door.

The door was open and creepy music was playing. As we stepped inside, there were a handful of people already there.

“I’m just going to put these in the kitchen for April,” Petal said to me.

I nodded. “I’m going to find the drinks. What do you want?”

“Halloweentini.”

I arched a brow.

“Jude will know what it is.”

I nodded and headed back to where I heard talking and music. Jude was behind a bar with a shaker.

He grinned when he saw me. “Zorro. Come have an Halloweentini.”

I stepped up, resting my hand on the bar and looked around the room. I knew the few people from the office. Dina was there dancing with the intern. Conner, a fellow SEAL, was talking with other people I didn’t know.

“Petal wants one,” I said.

Jude stopped mid-shake. “You and Petal?”

I shook my head. “We’re each other’s plus one. We’re not interested in your matchmaking ways.”

Jude laughed “That’s April.” He poured two large martini glasses of the green concoction. “Ah, there she is. Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Petal like that.”

I turned and as I did, I noticed Conner’s gaze taking a long drinking gaze of Petal. On Monday, I’d fire him. Fucker.

Petal had her usual grin as she stepped up to the bar. “Ooh, is that for me?”

“You look great Petal. No Annie this year, huh?” Jude handed her the drink.