Page 16 of Finding Kenna
“Oh.”
“We’re a protective bunch,” Aleck told her. He was somewhat warning her as well as trying to explain. “It’s not like they mind their women getting drunk, but they don’t want them getting sick. And both Elodie and Lexie are all right with it, since they’re not big drinkers. They know they’re being looked after, even as they let loose a little.” He shrugged. “It works for all of them.”
“And your other friend? Why’s he still here?”
“Carly,” Aleck said with a smile.
“Ah, of course,” Kenna said.
“He likes her, even though he’s not ready to admit it.”
“I think I told you earlier that Carly dated an older man? Well, it didn’t go well. Not at all. She’s definitely not ready for another boyfriend right now.”
“I can understand that. But that doesn’t mean Jag is gonna give up.”
“He’s got his work cut out for him,” Kenna warned.
“If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. If it’s worth having, it’s worth waiting for. It it’s worth attaining, it’s worth fighting for. And if it’s worth experiencing, it’s worth putting aside time for,” Aleck said.
Kenna stopped in the middle of the dining room and looked up at him. “Oscar Wilde said that.”
“Yup. I’ve always loved that quote. I’m paraphrasing a bit, but I memorized it in high school, and it’s amazing how many things it applies to. My job. Friendships. Relationships. Spending time with someone you want to get to know better.”
“Shit,” Kenna muttered. Then she straightened her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Just for the record, you’ve more than made up for being snobby earlier.”
Aleck grinned. “Good.”
“Kenna!” Charlotte called when she saw her. “Good timing. Vera just sat someone in your section. You want me to grab their drink order for you?”
“I’ve got it!” Kenna told her. She looked back at Aleck. “Time to get back to work.”
Aleck dropped her hand and nodded.
They smiled at each other for a moment, before Kenna spun around and headed for the kitchen.
Aleck watched her go, feeling a pang of disappointment. He supposed he would’ve felt it no matter when they parted ways. Kenna was pretty different from the women he’d dated in the past…in a very good way.
He strolled toward the bar and overheard Elodie telling the bartenders the story about what they’d done in the restroom. They all burst out laughing again.
“I’m totally gonna keep that ruse up,” the female said. “Shouldn’t be hard. And if it makes people be nicer to the waitstaff, all the better.”
Aleck couldn’t agree more. He headed for the table where his friends were sitting. He saw that Mustang had a glass of water in front of him, and assumed Midas was drinking iced tea. Jag was nursing a beer.
He pulled out a chair and sat.
“You good?” Mustang asked.
“Yup,” Aleck told him.
“How good?” Midas pressed.
“We exchanged numbers, and even though I said some stupid shit, she still wants to see me again,” Aleck said with a smile.
“Awesome. Even though I don’t believe you said anything stupid,” Jag said.
Aleck grinned ruefully. “Kenna called me a snob. And she wasn’t wrong.”
“You aren’t a snob,” Midas said in surprise.
