The course was about a half-mile into the forested area that was part of the STA property, with ladders to climb up, ropes to climb under and cones to sidestep, all intended to fire up different parts of the brain, to increase the ability to think in new and innovative ways. The corporate clients would work in teams to help each other through the courses and the trainees would go through them alone to fire up different synapses to help them respond on the fly.
I zipped through each obstacle, sweat dripping off me since I’d stupidly chose to run the course just after noon when the sun was high and hot in the sky. Burning bright, just like my anger. I meant what I told Mom, I didn’t think about Shawn ever. Or Carly. They deserved one another, assholes that they were, but I had no desire to spend my precious free time with them.
“Hey man.” Liam stood at the end of the course, hands fisted at his hips and that ever-present scowl on his face. “What’s up?”
“Just giving the course a run-through. What do you need?”
“It’s the third time you’ve run it,” he growled.
No. Was it? “It’s not,” I insisted though I couldn’t be sure, not until I looked up and noticed the sun wasn’t right above me any longer. “Okay, maybe it is. I just want to be thorough. These clients are important for us.”
“They are all important, Miles. But this is the first time you’ve been out here running an obstacle like a mad man. Want to talk about it?”
“Nothing to talk about. Phone call from my mom, same old shit. Got me a little worked up. I’m better now.”
“Right. Come on, I’m in the mood for tacos.”
I arched a brow at him. “Don’t you mean Olive is in the mood for tacos?”
Liam smiled. “She is and she’s meeting us at the restaurant. Get changed. Grant is coming too.”
Thirty minutes later, we walked into the busy Mexican restaurant and my stomach growled with hunger. Then I spotted Shannon laughing with Olive and a woman I didn’t recognize, and another kind of hunger took over. “I guess the rumors are true,” Grant said, his deep voice pulling my gaze from Shannon. “You and the curvy redhead are a thing.”
“We’re friends,” I growled.
“Perfect.” Grant clapped his hands together. “That means you won’t mind if I make a move.”
My hand shot out and wrapped around his shoulder. “I mind. We’re friends and I don’t want you pulling your nice guy schtick and breaking her heart.”
“Schtick? I am a nice guy, dick.” He looked to Liam, who’s gaze was stuck on his wife. “Right, Liam?”
“Of course you’re a nice guy, but you also lay it on thick when you have no plans to get serious about a woman. If Shannon were my sister, I’d warn you off too.”
“Yeah, but Shannon isn’t his sister,” Grant shot back, hooking a thumb in my direction with a smirk on his face.
“She’s my friend. Same thing.” Without another word, I headed towards the table with a wide smile that gave away nothing of my earlier turmoil. “Hello ladies, I heard there was a trio of beauties buying three sexy SEALs dinner?” I dropped down in the chair beside Shannon and stole her menu.
Olive tossed her head back and laughed. “Sure thing. Where are these sexy SEALs you mentioned?”
Liam slid into the seat beside her and wrapped an arm around Olive, kissing her soundly, as if they were alone. Completely alone. “Right here. Is that baby messing with your eyesight too?”
“Funny,” she said and switched chairs to make room for Grant.
“No way, I want to sit next to the hot blonde while you two flirt and make cow eyes at each other.” Grant nodded and flashed a wide smile at the woman. “I’m Grant, by the way.”
“Brenna,” she shot back with a thick country twang. “I have no objections to such a pretty dinner companion.” At her words, Olive and Liam moved chairs again and Grant dropped down beside Brenna with a satisfied smile.
“You think I’m pretty? That’s good news because I think you’re gorgeous.” He winked and Brenna laughed, flashing a look at me and then Liam.
“Where did you find this one? A wildlife park?”
“Hey, I’m only partially wild and only when it counts.”
Brenna rolled her eyes. “Why do I always get stuck with the pretty ones with a wild streak?” Her tone was pure amusement and the smile on her face said she might be as wild as Grant.
“Because Liam is married and Miles and Shannon are still pretending to be just friends.” He rolled his eyes to let us all know just what he thought about that.
“We are just friends.” The words popped out of my mouth and Shannon’s at the exact same time.