As I shimmy into a soft pink bra and matching panties, a startling thought crosses my mind.
“Did Gwyn really suggest I go after both guys?” I say aloud.
As if that’s ever going to happen. I laugh to myself. I’m too much of a chicken to be forward with one man, let alone two.
I’m still lost in my thoughts when the alarm I set on my iPhone rings, reminding me it’s nearly time for dinner. Since it makes no sense to wear makeup, I get ready in a flash and after a quick inspection in the tall mirror in my bedroom I’m ready to dash off. I grab my crossbody bag and head back to Jake’s house to enjoy a delicious meal. I’m so looking forward to getting to know my new hosts.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JAKE
I decide to enjoy my beer on the front porch. I love my sister, but when she gets into her frenetic mood before receiving a guest, she’s like a windstorm. As I take the last gulp of my beer, I notice my best friend approaching the house. He’s clean-shaven and dressed to kill. Hunter has swapped his usual work clothes for a fitted black tee shirt, a pair of sand-colored chinos and brand new boots he bought a few weeks ago.
As much as I’d like to make fun of him, I can’t. After a cold shower, I traded my own dirty jeans for bone-colored chinos and a light denim shirt. I took extra time when shaving and I even spent time on my hair, which I never bother with.
Hunter lifts his eyes and meets mine before rewarding me with a grin. I can’t help but smile back because it’s clear both of us realize the lengths to which we are willing to go to impress the newcomer.
“Buddy, I haven’t seen you so clean-shaven since we left New York to move out here,” he comments as he steps up onto the porch.
“You’re exaggerating,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Look who’s talking. You’re sporting brand-new boots.”
“It’s important to make a good first impression.”
“Too late. You nearly jumped Allison’s bones in the kitchen earlier.”
“You’re jealous because I’m more forward than you are. How long were you sitting in your kitchen making idle conversation before I arrived? I bet you had plenty of time to make a move on her, but controlled, stoic, well-mannered Jake was prim and proper as always.”
I hate him right now for being so accurate. “Am I that obvious to you?”
“I know how you work when it comes to women you’re interested in. Let’s just say our approaches vary greatly,” he says, laughing.
“Yeah, you’re right there.”
“You’ve retreated to the porch because Riley has gone manic in your kitchen again.”
“There’s only so much I can take.” I smile.
One of the reasons why I built my sister a separate house on my land is so I can have some peace and quiet. If she wants to cook up a meal fit for the Queen of England, I don’t have to be part of it every single night. I recognize tonight is special since Allison arrived a few hours ago and Riley has been looking forward to this day for weeks now, but still, it’s best for me to step out of my own home and give her the space she needs.
“It’s always been go big or go home with your sister. Not to mention you know well enough how important Allison is to Riley’s business.”
“I know, I know,” I respond grudgingly.
“Let me grab a cold one and I’ll come out and join you.” Before I can even agree, Hunter pulls open the front door and steps into my home. It takes Hunter no time at all to grab a couple of beers and come sit next to me. He hands me a bottle and twists the cap off of his before chugging down a big gulp.
“There’s nothing quite like a cold beer at the end of a long work day.”
“Amen to that, buddy.”
“Well, that or you know…”
“No. I don’t.”
He flashes me a telling smile and I can’t help but burst out laughing.
Man, Hunter doesn’t waste any time.
I shake my head, reliving how shamelessly my best friend flirted with Allison when he got back from the city. She seemed a bit shy, but the twinkle in her eyes suggested she loved his forwardness. It’s going to be a long summer because as much as I try to talk myself out of seeing Allison as anything more than hired help for Riley, I can’t keep lying to myself—the blonde is the type of woman I gravitate towards like a bee to honey. I have to man up and I have to take the same advice I dished out to Hunter earlier in our office.