Page 36 of Good Time Boyfriend
But I could have this.
As long as I didn’t get ahead of myself.
ChapterNine
Heath
Another hike, and another moment where I felt I was bursting at the seams with want for her, but no matter what, I was going to control myself and not push.
At least I hoped so.
“I feel like I’m cheating on my bar,” I said after a minute, and Devney grinned up at me.
“It sure feels like that, doesn’t it?”
We followed the hostess towards the booth in the back.
“It’s okay, I promise I won’t tell your bar,” she said with a laugh. I followed her, doing my best to take in the atmosphere of the bar, rather than watching her ass like I wanted to.
It was getting harder and harder to focus when she was around because I wanted her. And not just for that sweet ass. But because of her smile, the way she made me laugh, and the way she just made things feelright. That was going to be a problem later, but I ignored it. There were other things on my mind, like the fact that my brothers and her best friend were meeting us on this date of ours.
“Addison’s going to be outnumbered with us, you think she’s really going to be okay?” I asked as we took a seat in the large horseshoe-shaped booth. I sat at the edge and she sat next to me.
She smiled. “She can handle her own. Believe me, with her job? She can handle you Cassidy brothers far easier than you think.”
“Honestly, I don’t doubt that. She’s scary, but in a good way.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Addison said from behind.
I grinned at her. “I knew you were there,” I lied. I got out of the booth and gestured for her to take a seat. Devney got out and hugged her best friend.
“I’m so happy that you’re here. I was afraid that you would have to work late.”
Addison winced. “Honestly, me too. It’s been a tough few weeks, but I’m making do. Somewhat. I made it work. I promised I would. Plus, I could use time away.”
I didn’t know what was going on with Devney’s friend, but I loved the way the two seemed to always be there for each other. While Devney’s family was a little overwhelming, and never really let her out of their sight, her friend seemed to care, but not in an overbearing way. I knew that her siblings had already texted her a few more times, just to see what she was doing tonight, and if I was still treating her right. They didn’t tell her what to do in the text, but they wanted to make sure she was safe.
While it grated on me, maybe I was wrong to be annoyed by it. Maybe I just didn’t know how other people acted. Or how siblings were supposed to act. After all, we were still learning what the hell we were doing as a family.
“So, have you guys ordered anything to drink?” Addison asked, and I shook my head.
“We beat you by ten seconds, if that. So don’t worry.”
“Do we want to open a bottle?” Devney asked, looking at the menu. “Though I don’t know if your brothers like wine.”
“They like pretty much anything.”
“What do we like?” Luca asked, a bright grin on his face. He must have had a good day, and I was glad. Luca didn’t smile much anymore. I knew why, our family knew why, but I hadn’t told Devney yet. It wasn’t my place.
“I said that you’ll drink anything. We were thinking about getting a bottle of wine.”
August nodded. “Sounds good. That and some sparkling water? I’ve been on a sparkling water kick.”
“Considering you drank the entire case that I brought over for myself, yes, you are,” Luca said with a roll of his eyes. “And hi. I’m Luca. This is August, he looks just like that other one. Therefore, I’m the prettiest.”
“I’m not sure that works that way,” I said dryly.
“Yeah, I’m the pretty one,” August replied.
