Nice Until Proven Naughty

“Yeah. I’m good.”

He hands me a beer. “I thought maybe you were stunned speechless by Nice’s outfit.”

I roll my eyes and pop the top off the beer. “Is she wearing something different? I didn’t notice.”

I would have to be blind not to notice how different Dani looks, and it pisses me off that she feels she has to change who she is just to impress some dude.

There’s so much more to Dani than her beauty—which she has in spades. Most men are drawn to her long dark hair, golden eyes, and bright smile. To me, she’s the funniest, kindest, most real person I’ve ever met.

And I’m madly in love with her.

Have been for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Even if she’s looking for love—which I know for a fact doesn’t involve me because she made that blatantly clear last year.

My gut twists at the thought of her with another guy. I’ll likely die an angry old man, still in love with the girl I fell for in grade school. And what does she mean she’s looking for love and has big plans after the party tonight? She normally spends the after party with me.

Wait a minute.

My heart stops before kicking into high gear and thudding hard in my chest.

She couldn’t be talking about me, could she?

No. I shake my head. Impossible. Every word she said last year is burned into my memory.

“We’re business partners.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“I’m not sure if we should mix business with pleasure.”

And then the final blow.

“I think we’re better off as friends.”

Shit, there’s no way her big plans have anything to do with me.

Screw this beer. I’m going to need an entire bottle of Jack to get through tonight.

The card I’d planned to give her later burns a hole in the breast pocket of my shirt.

“Then you better look again, brother, because that woman is hot.”

She’s always been hot. And now I want to punch Ethan in the throat. I take step forward to do just that when Kyle Pritchard busts through the front door.

“Can I use the bathroom?”

“Sure.” The frazzled look on his face has me moving forward. “Is everything okay?”

“No.” He shakes his head, and that’s when I notice his clothes are soaking wet.

“Kyle—”

“I hope you’re hungry,” Dani says, barreling from the kitchen. “The food is ready to go and so are—” She stops short at the sight of Kyle. “What’s wrong?”

Kyle blows out a breath and runs his hand through his hair. “I just stopped to use the restroom. I’ve spent the last hour pulling cars out of ditches. James is heading out to get your sister now.”

“My sister?” Dani shrieks, rushing forward. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

Kyle holds up a hand. “She’s fine. She’s with Lucas.”