I wait for it.
First comes the hand gesture. "Let's be clear," she says, narrowing her eyes at me, and pointing her finger. "Are you telling me you had sex with Nick, and you've waited until now to tell me?"
I nod impishly. "I've been trying to tell you all night."
Fiona continues to wave her finger at me. "Hold on. Let me get this straight. You and Nick are," she air quotes, "together."
I nod again.
"And by together, you mean fucking."
I nod one more time.
She goes back to pointing, her words only mildly slurred now. "And you let me go on and on about how many times I fucked my husband in Fiji instead of telling me all the sordid details about how the hell you ended up fucking Ethan's jerky friend, Nick Carrington?"
"For you," the waitress says to me, setting a dirty martini down in front of both me and Fiona, "from the guy at the bar."
I smile at her. "Thank you."
The three shadows looming over us should have been the first sign that the waitress wasn't our only company, but I was so engrossed in Fiona's animated question, I never looked past her.
A husky male's throat clears.
I look up to see Nick, Jace, and Ethan, but really all I see is Nick. He's wearing a black long sleeve t-shirt that sculpts his body and black jeans that hang low on his hips in the most delicious way.
Don't get me wrong, Jace and Ethan are also both very good looking men. Just not my type. They are dressed very much the same as Nick-t-shirts and jeans. I guess hitting a dive bar first hadn't given them cause to dress up. Jace is a tall guy, maybe as tall as Nick. Maybe taller. He has dark hair and dark eyes. With his broad shoulders, he's visibly fit. Ethan is a little shorter and slimmer, but his blond hair and strong profile make him look like an Abercrombie and Fitch model.
Before Fiona can say anything more, Ethan swoops down and kisses her. "Hey babe, I hope you told her what a stallion I was."
Jace thumps Ethan on the back. "Sorry to disappoint you bro, but I think your wife would rather hear about what a stallion your jerky friend is."
Fiona's gaze lifts in horror, and she mouths, "I'm so sorry," to Nick.
Nick circles around the table and while doing so, he waves her off. "Don't worry about it Fi, I'm used to it by now," and then his eyes flick to me and I can see amusement glittering in them. "Hi," he mouths, coming toward me.
"Hi," I wave, feeling a little flutter of nervous excitement in my chest. This is the first time we've been together out in public where we know people. I wonder if he'll kiss me. I try to recall the different women I've seen him with over the years, and don't recollect him ever holding hands or kissing any of them.
Ethan looks from Fiona to Jace and then back to Fiona. "Is that right?" he mutters.
While Fiona tries to pacify her husband, I focus on the tall, dark, and handsome specimen of a man sitting beside me.
"If you drink that drink, I might have to kill the guy at the bar," he mutters.
His jealously sends a tiny thrill down my spine, and my breath catches. "I wouldn't want his death on my conscience," I practically purr.
"It won't bother me," Jace says, picking up the martini and taking a sip.
Ethan sits down and pulls Fiona onto his lap. I have to say, I haven't seen him this affectionate with her since they got married. I think Fiji was just what they needed.
Nick shifts a little closer, studying me carefully. "You waited to tell her, why?"
I shrug. "I was worried, I guess."
"What do you mean?"
I lean back on the sofa. "To be honest, I wasn't certain how she'd take it. She's really protective over me and doesn't want to see me get hurt."
He grins at my answer. "You mean because I'm such a manwhore and all, and I couldn't possibly stay with you for long."
I make a face at him. "Funny."
"Well?"
I look at him.
"How did she take it?" He gives me a what are you waiting for to tell me look.
I shrug again. "I have no idea."
"Then let's find out."
"How?"
"Kiss me."
The pulse in my neck begins to throb. "Here?"
He nods.
"You're serious?"
"Completely."
My eyes drop to his mouth. He really does have a great mouth. It's kind of perfect actually. "Now?"
He leans in. "Now!"
I push him away. "I thought you didn't do PDA?"
I think I see a dimple flash. It's rather adorable. "That's the real issue, isn't it? You have no idea how I'll react to our friends knowing we're together, and that makes you even more nervous than telling Fiona ever did."