Still The One (The Heartbreak Brothers 2)

Maddie nodded. “Yeah. And I think the pressure’s got to him. He said the last one wrote itself, but this one…” She sighed and shook her head.

“Wasn’t the last one about you?”

“Apparently.” Maddie grinned. “Anyway, I was wondering if you’re free on Sunday? We’re having everybody over to watch the documentary about Cam’s team. You and Zoe are invited, and your mom if she’s free.” She glanced at Van from the corner of her eye. “And Tanner will be there, of course.”

She could imagine Zoe’s excitement at visiting Gray Hartson’s house. Okay, so he probably came below Adam Levine, but he was still a huge rockstar.

“I didn’t know Cam was in a documentary.”

“It’s one of those Netflix ones. They followed his team around for all of last year. I was hoping he could come and join us, but he’s having to do publicity for it. So the next best thing is that we all watch and give him hell over the phone.”

Van laughed. She could just imagine the ribbing Cam’s brothers would give him. “That sounds like fun. Zoe and I will be there. I’m not sure it’s my mom’s kind of thing though.”

“No worries. And if she changes her mind, feel free to bring her. We’ll be cooking up a feast, since Logan will be there.” Maddie smiled warmly at her.

“I guess I’d better go,” Van said, finishing her coffee. “Thanks for this,” she said, lifting the mug. “How much do I owe you?”

“It’s on me.” Maddie told her. “Or on Murphy, technically. I’ll see you Sunday.”

Yeah, she would. And Van wasn’t sure why that made her body feel all warm and gooey inside, like chocolate left on the window sill on a warm Virginia day.

She stepped outside the diner, glancing at Fairfax Realty across the bright green of the town square, and took a deep breath.

Maybe it was the fact that some people in town accepted her and wanted to spend time with her.

This place was starting to feel like home again.

“Stop staring at her,” Logan murmured. “Unless you want everybody to guess what’s going on.” He’d flown down from Boston the previous night, and the three of them – Tanner, Gray, and Logan – had spend yesterday evening at the Moonlight Bar, catching up and shooting pool.

While Gray had been buying his round, Logan had taken the opportunity to ask Tanner how it was going with him and Van. He’d caught him up quickly. They were together, but trying to keep it on the downlow.

That was easier said than done now that he was sitting on the sofa in Gray’s beautiful den, following Van’s every move. She was looking hot today, in a little pink-and-grey checked sleeveless dress, tight on all her curves and stopping at mid thigh, her golden waves tumbling over her bare shoulders.

“I’m not staring,” Tanner told him. “I’m just looking around, taking everything in.”

“You’re right. You’re not staring. You’re ogling. And possibly panting.” Logan grinned. “Damn, have you even had sex with her yet?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no,” he said, his voice short.

Logan raised an eyebrow. “No?”

Truth was, they’d done everything but sex, and right now that felt pretty good. Especially since neither of them had their own place – something he was working pretty hard on resolving. And the sleeping was awesome. He’d curl up behind her and she’d curl her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her like he was her human shield. He slept so deep his alarm barely woke them in the morning. It was as though his body was finally able to relax after all this time.

But today he didn’t feel relaxed. He felt excited and needy and full of desire. Every time she walked past him while they were sitting watching the movie, he’d wanted to reach out and slide his hand up her leg.

She knew exactly the effect she was having on him. Now and then their eyes would meet, and her lips would curl up, her face flushing. And he’d swallow down the urge to stand up and tell everybody that this gorgeous, funny, beautiful woman was his.

She was talking to Maddie right now, the two of them laughing at something Van just said. Her eyes caught his for the hundredth time. Then she touched Maddie’s arm briefly, and walked through the open glass doors to the expansive deck Gray had built, leading to the wide grass lawn, and the wooden bar stocked with every flavor of liquor and beer.

“I’m going to grab another drink,” Tanner said, standing.

“Sure you are.” Logan smirked, and turned back to the TV, where the first game of last season was flickering on the screen.

Tanner shook his head and followed Van’s path through the doors and down the lawn to the wooden tiki bar. She poured a glass of soda, throwing some ice into the mix, completely oblivious to the fact he was a few feet away from her.

“I need to talk to you.” He kept his face impassive.

Her head shot up. “Jeez, you scared me.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Hey you. What do you want to talk about?”