by Lauren Dane
“Exactly. You know how much we love Miles. Elise and I would love to have him overnight. He and Rennie get along. We’d totally have a great time. You know Erin would love the same. God, they’d jam for hours. The point is, you have lots of options between us and I’d bet her friends too. Go on a date. Take her to dinner and a movie. Whatever. Just normal things. You both need it. To have that part of a relationship.”
The worry eased. “I was telling her that I never fought with women before. Because mainly I didn’t care for any of them enough to bother with it. But with her, with that, that—”
“That holy-hot-wow thing you and she have with the little battles of will you play? You two have chemistry, man. You cannot pretend it. It’s not something you can fake.”
Adrian nodded. “Yep, that’s it. Little zings of electricity between us. When we fight it’s never about things we totally disagree on. It’s about things we agree on but the problem is the how to get there. But it never feels dire or disrespectful. And yes, yes, it makes me hot when she loses that smooth veneer and shows me the side I know only I see. That is intimate and it blows me away.”
“That’s trust, dude. For a woman like Gillian to open up the way she does with you? Do you know how she looks at Miles?”
Adrian smiled as he pictured it. “Yes. Awesome, isn’t it? It’s how Elise looks at Rennie and Marti.”
“She opens up and all those reserves fall away and she just can’t not show how much he loves him. She looks at you like that. With that same open joy.”
She’d shown him over and over how special he was to her. But somehow hearing that just sort of set him back on his heels.
Brody snorted. “Exactly. We love Gillian for who she is. But even if she wasn’t a really cool woman, we’d love her for the way she looks at you. Dumbass. We have no problems with Gillian and how she is. She fits in just fine. You’re worried, but no one else is.”
“Pizza’s here,” Rennie called from the other room.
Adrian stood and rubbed his hands together. “Just in time. I am suddenly totally starving.”
Brody stood, shouldered his brother from the way and all was right again.
21
It had been a very long time since she’d been on a real date. She looked at herself in the mirror again. Daisy had shown up with an armful of packages full of clothes the day after Adrian had asked Gillian on that date for pool and beer with him.
A chic pair of tapered-leg pants and a black, boatneck blouse that was positively vintage. Still, the pants seemed to hug her butt just a bit more than she was sure worked.
It was Jules who was doing the pre-date Gillian-sitting that evening. “I think you look so lovely. That outfit Daisy gave you for your birthday is humina-humina hot.”
She looked back at Jules. “Do you think? It’s very . . . snug.” She ran her palms down her waist and over her thighs.
“It’s vintage. Boatneck so you can’t even see a hint of your dirty pillows. The only skin you’re seeing is arms and yours are gorgeous. You’re going to wear a sweater over it anyway. As for snug, that’s the way it’s supposed to fit. You don’t look like a sausage. If that’s your worry. You look absolutely gorgeous. Feminine. Classic. I promise.”
She looked back again. Yes, it was lovely. Sexy without being sleazy. Fitted without being tight.
“Wear that necklace he gave you for Christmas with it. And the tangerine cardigan I gave you a few years back.”
“I need you with me every day to make these fashion choices for me.”
“Whatever, girl. I’m just here to gawk at your hot-looking man when he arrives.” She snapped a picture with her phone.
“Hey!”
“I promised. It was the cost for not having us all here.”
She tried to look severe, but it wouldn’t work anyway. Her doorbell rang and she blushed. “He doesn’t have to do that. He has a key.”
“I’ll let you get it. That’s always the fun part. I lied about the waiting-to-spy-on-you part. I just wanted to get a gander at you.” Jules squeezed her hand and headed out the back door before Gillian could argue.
She was still smiling when she opened the door to Adrian holding a bouquet of flowers so large it obscured his face.
“Come in.”
He peeked around the flowers and waggled his brows. “You look amazing. Is Miles here or did he already go to Jason’s?” She took the flowers with a kiss.
He took them away from her, placed them on her table and eased her against the door. “Now then, I ruined it by asking about Miles first.”
“Be quiet. He went straight there after school and says he’ll see you tomorrow. Now you may kiss me.”
“Now who’s cheeky?” He bent his legs and dipped to kiss her.
He nipped at her bottom lip and a sound she didn’t remember making came from deep in her throat.
She sucked his tongue into her mouth and he groaned, squeezing her a little tighter.
“Now,” he said, putting her away from his body, “that was a better introduction. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. These are gorgeous and you also look really tasty. You sure you’d rather play pool?”
He swatted her butt on the way past. “Get those in water. You and I are going out. Pizza. Beer. Pool. It’s going to be rockin’. There’s going to be karaoke tonight too apparently. Erin is all buzzed about it.”
“If you say so.” She made it extra prim and set about putting the flowers into two vases since the bouquet was so large. He couldn’t seem to resist crowding her, but she wasn’t complaining about it. She loved the way he smelled, the heat of his body as he stood so close.
She loved being irresistible to a man like him.
He helped her into her sweater and coat and then into his car like a total gentleman.
On the way back over they chitchatted about their respective days. He told her about the song he and Erin had finished and sent off to Reg earlier that day. She leaned back against the heated seat and watched as he drove. Greedily took in his handsome features as he mimicked Brody or Miles. Loved his smile and quick laughter.
This was new for them. Despite the afternoons they had before Miles came home from school or the evenings after he’d gone to bed, this was the first outing they’d taken together just as a couple. It made her giddy with first-date anticipation even though they’d already made it to the thirteen-year-old-son part. And should be past it.
He reached out and took her hand, keeping it as he drove.
“I’m liking this dating thing a lot. I’m wondering what you’re wearing under the clothes. Hoping you’ll let me stay over.”
She laughed, charmed. “Maybe. I don’t want you to think I’m too easy. Perhaps I’ll make you wait. What’s the average wait time? A month? A few weeks?”
“Ha! Didn’t you date when you were young?”
“No.” She was so tempted to hold it there, but she wanted to try to be more open with him. “I didn’t know any boys back home who were worthy of dating. The nice ones I liked wouldn’t have given me a second glance. And then here? I chose piano instead.”
“You were young when you moved to New York. I love New York City, but hell, even as an adult I find it daunting sometimes. How did you handle it?”
“I think it was that I didn’t know any better.” She laughed. “Really I was just so happy to be away from home.”
“I’m sorry it was so bad.”
“It’s long past now. It made me into who I am today, which is good and bad, I guess. But it’s not unique and it wasn’t horrible. In truth, I think it makes me appreciate what I have a lot more than I might have under other circumstances. It makes me hyperaware of how I’m parenting.”
He knew she was uncomfortable with the focus on her, but it made him happy she’d shared without any prompting from him.
“I was just thinking about this the other day. I use Brody as an example of what a good father is. Not the one I was born with.”
Pride warmed him. “Really? I feel like an amateur next to you.” “Really. And I don’t know why you’d feel like an amateur. I make mistakes all the time. Half the time it’s Miles who teaches me how to do this.”
He laughed again. “Do you know I think I laugh more with you than I ever have before, and I laughed a lot as it was.”
“I bet you’re agitated a lot more too.”
“Yes. Can’t deny it. Also can’t deny it makes me hot. So be it, I’m a weirdo. I can accept it. Your prickly, buttoned-up-to-the-neck thing works my libido hard.”
She sniffed delicately. “I may have noticed. It’s a good thing for us both. Not many men have a bitchy woman fetish.”
“I do believe you just made me guffaw with that one. They do say there’s a lid for every pot. You’re my lid, Gillian. Bitchy and all.”
The ferry ride was quicker than usual going back to Seattle from Bainbridge, and soon enough they’d arrived at the pub where everyone had gathered.
The pub was sort of dingy, but it was their place. A place where if he was recognized no one would bug him. This place had been a regular part of his life, part of the lives of their circle for years. Gillian belonged there with him on the cracked vinyl booth eating pizza and drinking beer.
Adrian moved through the usual Friday-night crowd, keeping Gillian against him to protect her from being jostled. It was during times like this one where he was reminded of how small she really was. And yet, she managed just fine. He shouldn’t have been concerned; Gillian was a tough woman. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to protect her.
The group was already there at their usual booth near the pool tables.
“Gillian, I really need to go shopping with you so I can find all the cute stuff you wear,” Erin said as she patted the spot next to her in the booth.
“Thank you. I can’t take credit for it though. My friend Daisy gave me this outfit as a gift. She claims it was for my birthday, which is three months away.” She smiled. “Truth is, she just has a great eye and picks stuff up for me, Mary and Jules all the time and it shows up in our houses.”
“I met her at the luncheon at Mary’s house. I really liked her.” Erin indicated the pitcher at her elbow. “Would you like some beer? We just ordered the pizza so that should be out soon. Wings should be out too.”
“Awesome. I’m starving after spending the whole day working.” Adrian took the beer his sister pushed toward him and Gillian sipped hers. He kept an eye on her, but so far she appeared to be having a great time and he was reminded of what his brother had told him about how the rest of them had zero problem with Gillian and how none saw her as holding back.
He was the one who needed to adjust his expectations.
“Now that everyone is here, it’s time to draw straws for the first game.” Brody held up his fist with the sticks.
“We all pick and those four with the longest sticks go first.” Erin explained to Gillian, who nodded and proceeded to pull out a very long stick with a smile.
“When I was young, I’d play snooker down the local.”
“That so?” Adrian examined her and she smirked, sending that jolt straight to his cock.
“It is. I haven’t played in a long time. But there were pool tables at several bars near my old flat in New York, so we’d go play after school frequently.”
Now it was Todd who leaned in. “Hmm, seems we have another shark in the water.”
“They take their pool very seriously.” Ella rolled her eyes. “I prefer to sit back here and watch them play. As they’re all quite nice to look at, I think I’ve got the best seat in the house.”
Gillian laughed. Just a quick, lyrical burst of sound. “Very true. Then I shan’t be disappointed if I don’t get in on the first game.”
“No looking at anyone’s ass but mine. That’s the rules.” Adrian picked his straw and it was a short one. Damn.
“That is so not a rule.” Elise snorted. “That’s an insane rule. Looking at you all is the best part of my night. Hush.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Their playful banter died down as everyone looked to where Ella sat with Cope’s arms around her tight. Both of them smiling.
“It’s early. We only just found out for sure this morning. We haven’t told my family or the Copelands yet and we won’t until I’m past the three-month mark.”
The table erupted with laughter and congratulations and Adrian’s heart, already full of love for these people, expanded a little more. They’d been trying for the last year or so, he knew.
“That’s why you’re drinking water!”
“Yeah.” Ella’s smile told the story of how happy she was with the news. “I just hope I don’t have blood pressure problems like Erin did, because if I have to give up coffee, I don’t know how I’ll get through the day.”
Adrian looked back to Gillian and knew he wanted that with her. Yes, they had Miles, and having a baby before they were settled would be stupid and unwarranted. But after they’d found a way to make living together work, it could happen. He wanted it to happen, damn it.
She caught his gaze and smiled, and he knew she’d been thinking the same thing.
The food arrived and after some beer and wings, the first crew moved to the table and began to play.
“Looks like I’m up.” Gillian stood and Adrian didn’t hide his need to watch her as she moved.
“You watch her like you’re taking notes in your head,” Todd said. “I know the feeling. Sometimes I watch Erin move and I’m sort of mesmerized by it. She has such purpose, your Gillian.”
“She does, doesn’t she? She moves like she’s on her way somewhere. Always. Constantly running lists of things to do in her head, I’d wager. She’s very capable. I love that.”
“It’s hard to love a woman like that though. When you want to do for them. Want to help and they can totally do it without you and you want to do it anyway.” Todd shrugged. It couldn’t be easy to be married to a woman like Erin. She was another capable woman. They all were, he noted, looking around at the women in his life.
Gillian did fit in, even when he was worried she didn’t.
She also seemed to be a pretty decent pool player as she handily ended up in second place right behind Ben, who was nearly impossible to beat anyway.
“Here, take my turn,” Adrian told Erin when Gillian returned to the table. “Pizza’s here and so is my lady.”
Gillian blushed. “You don’t need to. I can eat pizza and chat with everyone here. I don’t need a keeper.”
That warm, slow flood of desire flowed through him.
“Yes, but we already established the fact that I do. Plus if I go play, I can’t eat pizza. Really, it’s the best of both worlds right here.”
“All right.”
They talked and laughed. Ella filled them in on the plans for the nursery in their house. Cope had already started on a bassinet that they’d keep in their room for the first months.
“Hand carving a bassinet? That’s lovely. I can’t imagine a more wonderful gift for him to give you. Other than the baby, of course.” Gillian looked back to Ella, who was nodding.
“You should come to the house sometime for dinner. Bring Miles since he and Andrew seem to have the same insane love of Burnout: Revenge. He’s done so much of the woodwork in the house himself. The moldings, banisters, chair rails, window casements. He’s endlessly talented. Give him wood and his tools and look away and suddenly he’s made something beautiful. I’m forever finding little boxes and things he’s made for me.”
Gillian’s smile warmed. “That’s a lovely thing for a man to do.”
“I totally agree. So tell me about Carmina Burana. Elise shared earlier that you’d be playing the piano and how everyone is raving about you.”
Gillian’s eyes widened. “Really?
Oh no, I doubt that.”
Ella’s laugh put Adrian at ease as she patted Gillian’s hand. “She told me that she and the creative director of the choral group went to listen to you and the other pianist and you were amazing.”
“Well, it’s such a grand piece. Really, it’s not me at all. I just play what someone else wrote. Rehearsals will start soon with the choral group. I haven’t done anything like this in a while so I’m quite thrilled about it. Don’t want to get rusty.”
Adrian watched her. Listened to her conversations with the others. Joined in here and there. Maybe it was that when they were all together with Miles, her focus was on him so often she couldn’t really engage as deeply. He didn’t know for sure, but he liked seeing her this way.
Erin finally came back to their table, wearing a grin, and Adrian knew they were all in trouble.
“Karaoke night! Who’s in?”
“Do we have a choice?” Todd’s question was reasonable, but his wife rolled her eyes at him.
“Gillian, I think you and I should go.” Erin held a hand out and Gillian tossed a desperate look back to Adrian.
“Say no if you don’t want to, English. She won’t make you. But I think you should.”
“Only if you go too.”
“Oh ho! The woman knows how to negotiate.” Erin’s pleased grin only made Gillian laugh.
“All right. I’ll go next if you go first. And, I get to choose the song.”
“No. You suck at song choice. You’ll make us sing something stupid and I don’t want to.” Erin shook her head. “I’ll choose and you’ll like it and that is that.” She took Gillian’s hand and tugged her from the booth and both women moved to the small stage where they signed up and looked over the songs. Adrian watched as Gillian shook her head no to a few selections, and then they both nodded and laughed when he assumed they’d made their choice.
Erin slapped a pair of big old sunglasses onto Gillian’s face and appeared to give her a pep talk as Gillian shook her head and appeared to finally relent.