Page 36 of Never and Always
A radio on the workbench squawked. “Hey, Everett. We have a plumbing issue on level one.”
That jolted me out of my daze. I pulled my hand from his and slipped sideways. “You need to go.”
And I really needed to get out of his sphere of influence before I did something crazy. Like kiss the hell out of him, or tear his shirt off.
As I walked away, I couldn’t control the confusing emotions tumbling around inside me. I lifted my chin and headed for my office.
I needed to talk to Tessa, Allie, and the girls.
I needed cocktail night—and copious cocktails—tonight.
Chapter 12
Piper
It had been a long day.
I slipped out of the Uber, grabbing my bag off the seat. “Thanks. Have a good evening.”
“Bye, love.” The female Uber driver pulled away.
Tessa’s house was in the part of Windward where the locals lived. It was less touristy, and packed with cute family homes. Tessa’s place wasn’t big, but it was painted a pretty blue-gray, with white trim. Blinking Christmas lights covered her tiny front porch. I knew Ro was already scouting for a bigger place for them, but I had to admit, this house had a certain charm. Welcoming light shone in the windows, and even the snow covering the yard looked nice.
I hurried up the walkway, the bottles of vodka and gin tinkling in my bag. My contribution to cocktail night. I needed a drink, as soon as I possibly could get one.
My day had been one disaster after another. After my run in with Everett, I’d continued to try and contact Chance. He still hadn’t called me back. My meetings had run long, and I’d dealt with problem after problem. And, I’d bumped one hand at lunchtime and ripped some of my just-healing scabs off. I knocked on the door.
“It’s open.” Tessa’s voice sang from inside.
I pushed inside, ready to get out of the cold and drink some alcohol.
Tessa’s open-plan kitchen and living area were decorated in neutral colors with pops of color from the throw pillows. Her couch looked comfy, and she had a large, white island, which was where the women were all congregated.
“Hey, city slicker.” Allie was sitting on a stool, long legs encased in jeans and a glass in hand.
Sierra was chief cocktail maker and was shaking something in a cocktail shaker. Her honey-blonde hair was up in its usual ponytail. Tessa was setting cheese, fruits, and crackers on a wooden board. Jazz was beside Allie, picking at things as soon as Tessa placed them on the board.
I dumped my coat and bag on an armchair. I pulled the bottles out and slammed them on the counter. When I looked up, everyone was staring at me.
“What’s in the shaker?” I asked Sierra
“Cosmopolitan.”
I waggled my fingers. “Gimme.”
“Rough day?” Allie asked.
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” I popped some cheese in my mouth. I was starving, since I hadn’t finished my lunch and missed my afternoon snack. “Caden with Ollie?”
Allie swirled her glass. “Nope. Ollie’s at a sleepover at Emily’s.”
Tessa’s aunt had practically raised her, and lived across the street with her kids.
“And the guys decided to do an impromptu guys’ night out,” Tessa said. “Ro, Caden, Ev, and Gunnar are getting a steak and watching a football game in town.”
I grunted. I didn’t want to think about Everett.
“Good news for me.” Allie grinned. “I get my man all to myself tonight. That equals a loud fuck-a-thon since we won’t have to be quiet.”
