Asher nodded in agreement.
Remy said, “Well, I, for one, am crossing my fingers that it was a one-time thing and you can put this behind you.” Something caught her gaze over Kinsley’s shoulder and all the warmth vanished from her expression.
Before Kinsley could turn around, strong arms wrapped around her and Rhett leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Hey,” he said just to her. Then he gave everyone around the table a quick look before he added, “Be right back. Let me grab a beer.”
He strode off to the bar, and Peyton said, “Okay, that happened, didn’t it? Rhett just kissed you on the cheek, right?” When no one answered her, Peyton went on. “Did I imagine that?”
Even Kinsley wondered if she’d imagined that. She finally blinked, following Rhett with her gaze as he made his way toward the bar.
“You’re not imagining anything,” Boone said. Was that a bit of pride in his eyes? “That happened.”
Remy looked the exact opposite. She crossed her arms and scowled. “Are you guys together now?”
“Remy.” Asher elbowed her gently.
Her frown only deepened.
Every other face but hers was lit up. Kinsley rolled her eyes. “Do we need to talk about it?”
“Nope,” Boone said.
“He’s such a liar,” Peyton said, reaching for her chocolate martini. “He totally wants to talk about it.”
“It’s not our business,” Asher said sternly to Remy, who still hadn’t taken her eyes off Kinsley.
“What’s not your business?” Rhett asked, sidling up to the table with a beer in his hand and a fresh glass of water with lemon.
“Thanks,” Kinsley said, smiling at him as she took the beverage. She studied him, looking for any of the intensity she’d seen earlier, but it just wasn’t there. He seemed…calm…settled.
Remy’s voice snapped like the end of a whip, answering his earlier question. “If you and Kinsley are dating now.”
“Ah, I see,” said Rhett, grabbing the stool next to Kinsley and then pulling her in between his legs. He rested one foot on the bottom of her stool.
If Remy really did have magical abilities, Rhett would be set on fire by now. Kinsley reached for the straw in her glass and sucked back the biggest sip of water of her life, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her.
“Well,” Remy growled. “Are you going to answer me?”
Rhett gulped his beer then set the bottle down on the table. “Asher’s right, it’s none of your business.”
The air felt charged with electricity, like right before a thunderstorm. A thunderstorm that was going to suddenly produce lightning that could kill you. And that lightning was aimed right at Rhett.
Boone finally broke the silence. “Did you catch that fight last night?”
“That finishing blow was spectacular,” Rhett commented.
And just like that, the personal conversation was over, thanks to
her big brother. She glanced up at Boone and he gave her a quick wink before continuing his conversation with Rhett and Asher over the upcoming Mixed Martial Arts fight next weekend.
Kinsley exhaled the breath she’d been holding. She leaned back against Rhett, and he snagged an arm around her waist and pulled her closer against him. Everything felt good and right, and yet, there was a tingle in the back of her mind telling her this was too easy. She pushed that thought aside.
Rhett was making a statement here tonight. What that statement actually meant, only time would tell. But Kinsley wanted to let things unfold how they were meant to. Rhett was there, present, and that, for right now, was more than she had expected.
Remy’s tension wafted off her. To ease her best friend’s worries, Kinsley reached for her hand under the table and Remy squeezed back. They had been friends since they were ankle biters, and she knew Remy was worried. Very worried. “I know it’s hard to understand,” Kinsley said softly, keeping the conversation private. “But I’m okay with how things are.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that,” Remy grumbled.
Yet Remy still didn’t believe her. Not that Kinsley could blame her. For as long as Kinsley could remember, she’d wanted the engagement ring, the wedding, the happily-ever-after. Being with Rhett meant she’d get none of those things. But life wasn’t all sunshine and roses, and she wanted Rhett. Always had.