Ignite (Wildwood 1)

West did a double take, shock coursing through him. Did she just offer to do something nice for him? Yesterday when they talked she’d both insulted and snubbed him all in a matter of seconds. “Uh, sure. A beer?”

“Pale ale?” She lifted her brows.

His skin went warm. She remembered his favorite beer. Way to get to a man’s heart and quick. “Yeah. That would be great. Thanks.”

“Not a problem.” She turned toward the bartender, waving her hand until she got his attention. He made his way over to where she and Wren sat and the both of them gave the guy an earful, orders from everyone.

But Harper asked for only West’s order. Why that little detail made him feel special, he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t going to dwell on it. He couldn’t. Nothing could happen between them. Not

ever.

He had the urge to get a beer in hand even more now.

“We’re celebrating,” Wren told him when the bartender walked away.

He raised a brow. “What are you celebrating?”

“Wren.” Harper’s tone was a warning, and Wren pressed her lips together, looking like she might burst. “Don’t say it.”

Now he was curious. Though what if they were celebrating Harper’s engagement to the dude she lived with? Hey, it could happen. Living with someone was quite the commitment. One he couldn’t imagine wanting to embark on. He wasn’t even ready for a relationship.

He didn’t think he’d ever be ready.

Wren’s lips parted and she sucked in air before she blurted, “Harper’s a free woman.”

West frowned, his gaze sliding to Harper’s. “Free?”

Harper glared at his sister before she offered him a weak smile. “Um, my boyfriend and I . . . ”

“She dumped him,” Wren interrupted. “And about damn time too. He was so boring.”

Harper said nothing. Neither could West. His brain was too busy reworking what Wren had just told him. Harper was single. This was good news.

Excellent news.

“You promised you wouldn’t bash him,” Harper said quietly.

“I’m sorry. You know I get mouthy when I drink.” Lamest excuse ever. Wren was always mouthy. “West, you’re lucky you didn’t witness those two together. They made a horrible couple.”

He could see the hurt etched all over Harper’s face, but she wasn’t saying anything. “Wren, lay off.”

“Please.” Wren waved a hand. “Harper knows the truth. I mean, come on. They worked together, which was the first mistake. How exciting could an accountant be?”

West raised his brows. “Aren’t you an accountant?” Would Harper continue working with her now ex-boyfriend? That would be . . . weird.

“Bookkeeper.” Wren waved her hand around again, nearly slapping West’s cheek. He dodged out of her way.

“Same diff,” Harper muttered under her breath.

“You two aren’t going to start fighting are you?” West asked warily. They used to when they were kids, over stupid girl stuff that drove him up the damn wall.

“Did someone say the word catfight?” A male voice asked from behind him. West turned to find a guy around his age smiling widely, his gaze only for Wren, who glared at him in return. “I’d pay money to see you tumble around with your bestie, Gallagher, especially if the clothes start flying off.” He started to laugh.

West frowned. Who was this dude? And why was he calling Wren by her last name? Clearly it bugged the shit out of her.

“Shut the hell up,” Wren muttered, turning her charm onto the bartender, who approached with all the drinks. “Ooh, yay. I’m thirsty.”

Harper grabbed West’s beer from the counter and handed it to him, her fingers brushing against his when he took the bottle. Electricity sparked between them and he wondered at that. Remembered how it had been between them before. So hot, they’d nearly set each other on fire.