But now, since the lodge was completely vacant of guests, Magic had called for a clan dinner. He called it the poor man’s pot-luck, because business was down and the party was on. Except it was never a pot-luck. Eagan still cooked everything like a boss.
Owyn examined his reflection in the rear view mirror. He’d shaved again so he couldn’t hurt Doc’s skin if he got close. He looked alright, but he was nervous as hell anyway. What would Doc think of him in the light of a new day? When the moon wasn’t making things feel so romantic? What did she feel about last night?
He was about to find out.
Owyn stepped from his truck and headed for the front doors. The sun was setting behind the mountain, sending a chill over the place.
Inside, the music was already cranked loud. Some country song about taking a smoke break blared through the speaker system instead of the calm and relaxing shit Layna usually had playing.
Rounds of laughter came from the dining room, and Owyn stood back, closing his eyes to take it all in. No one had to know what a beautiful sound he thought that was. No one had to know how it made his heart soar knowing his clan was happy.
The scent of sweet oranges hit his senses and his panther let out a satisfied growl. Slowly, he opened his eyes and found Doc staring at him from across the room. She held a beer in one hand as she listened to something Clara was saying, but her eyes, they were focused on him.
He held her gaze, letting her see exactly how much he’d missed her today. No more hiding behind the hat. Show her who you are. He’d done that, and tonight he was going to tell her what he hoped he’d already showed her.
He’d intended on taking his time with this, but after the way she’d responded to his goodnight kiss… he didn’t want to wait anymore. He and Doc had been inching toward this point for years. It was finally their time. Nothing was going to stop them now.
Doc’s mouth curved upward in a private smile that couldn’t be hidden no matter how hard she tried. He wanted to stalk to her and devour that grin right in front of everyone, but his feet were rooted in place. The moment was too fucking perfect. Everything he wanted was just within his reach and he needed to savor every second of the climb to the top.
Bailey stepped in front of Doc, blocking out Owyn’s vision of her. Damn. Moment gone.
He sighed, walking over to the bucket o’ beers to grab a drink.
Mason and Magic snickered, sharing an inside joke that Owyn didn’t give half a fuck about.
“Feeling okay, Owyn?” Magic asked.
Owyn frowned, taking a swig from his bottle. What the hell? Magic was never this… amused. And Mason, he looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. Like he had a great secret of his own.
Owyn eyed the two males. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Mason popped a handful of peanuts in his mouth before joining in. “We’ve been worried for you.”
Owyn’s forehead wrinkled. Were they drunk? They would’ve had to down half the lake’s worth of alcohol but maybe they’d been here a while.
“It’s just…” Mason shrugged, his face turning deadly serious. “You’ve been seeing the doctor a lot lately.”
Owyn’s eyes went wide, and Mason burst into a fit of laughter. Knee slapping, choking on his tongue, blood vessels busting, the whole shebang.
And it was contagious. All around him, the guys were laughing whether they’d heard the lame joke or not.
Renner grinned as he knocked one back, tipping his bottle at Owyn first.
Ryan brought up one hand, forming fake claws. “Rawr,” he said.
“Oh, you think you’re funny don’t you?” Owyn stifled a grin and glanced at Magic. His friend was grinning so hard it looked painful. For him, it probably was.
“You’re looking pale, O-boy,” Magic quipped, using Owyn’s childhood nickname. “Should we call the doctor for you?”
“I don’t think she does house calls,” Eagan called from the table where he was stirring a steaming pot of something. “But I bet she’d make an exception if you ask real nice.”
Another round of laughter, and this time it caught the attention of the females across the room.
Layna narrowed her gaze at the men. “What the hell’s so funny over there?”
But before any of them could answer, the lights went out.
“The hell?” Magic muttered as they were thrown into pitch darkness.
“Aw, shit,” Renner’s voice rose in the blackness. “I’ll go check it out. Damn fine time for the lines to die when our generators are on the fritz.”
“Wahooooo!” Mason hollered. “Party in the dark! None of you be getting fresh with me now, you hear?”