Conner sulks in his seat, burying his head in his hands. “That was cruel. I thought for sure I had you.”
Nick shakes his head. “You didn’t learn your lesson in the lastfour roundsthat she’s got a stone-cold poker face, man?”
Dean’s gaze flicks to mine. He has this adorable smile on his face that makes me feel all warm inside.
“She’s a shark.” Conner turns to Taylor for comfort. “She’s eating me alive.”
“You’ll survive.” She pats him on the head and rolls her eyes at his theatrics. Taylor stopped playing an hour ago and has just been watching us. When she gets up to clear the table of our beer bottles and snacks, I help her.
“Divide the chips up,” I say, shoving all my winnings at Conner.
“What? No way.”
“Yes, way.” I pat his head. “Be a good boy and do what you’re told.”
Nick snarfs his drink, spraying beer all over Dean.
The men all start belly laughing and I bite my bottom lip, grab the remainder of the snack bowls, and carry them into the kitchen.
“I’ve never seen Dean smile this much,” Taylor says as she starts tackling the dishes. “It’s nice.”
My heart plummets. Is Dean sad a lot? I mean,I’msad a lot because even after keeping myself busy all day shopping, creating content, clubbing, and dining, I still go home to an empty penthouse and sleep in a cold bed. It sucks. I’m used to being sad. But I don’t want Dean to be that way too.
Ducking to hide my yawn, I look away and catch Dean standing against the entryway, watching us. I shoot him a smile. “Want another beer?”
“Nah.” He strolls over and wraps his hands around my waist before kissing the side of my head. “You ready for bed?”
“I know I am,” Taylor says, drying another glass.
Conner checks the time. “Shit, it’s three in the morning already.”
“Fuuuuck.” Nick scrubs his face. “I have to be at work in two hours.”
“Why the hell are you working on a Saturday?” Dean asks.
“Overtime.”
Everyone packs up and heads out, grumbling about how fast the night flew and that they shouldn’t go this long between hang outs again.
“She’s fucking great, man. No wonder you’ve had that goofy ass look on your face all night.” Bennet squeezes Dean’s cheeks and teases him. “’Bout fucking time.”
“Leave him alone. Grace is probably here against her will,” Conner shoots back. “Grace, blink twice if he’s kidnapped you.”
“Oh, stop it!” Taylor smacks his arm again before pretending to look concerned at me. “He didn’t kidnap you, did he?”
“Hey!” Dean glowers at them. “How do you know she’s not holdingmehostage, huh?”
“Because you got that fresh fucked look on your face, bro. If she’s holding you hostage, you must like it.” Conner laughs at himself. “Seriously though…” He sways a little and clasps his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “You’ve never brought a girl home, right? But look at you now. The ice mountain man is finally thawing.” He ruffles Dean’s hair.
“Okay, buddy. Time to go.” Nick steers him away and shoves him out the front door. “Taylor, come get your boy.”
“He’snotmy boy.” Taylor turns to me and rolls her eyes. “But I am his DD tonight. Ugh, the shit I do for my friends.”
“Tayyyyylorrrrrr,” Conner hollers from outside.
“It was lovely meeting you,” she says sweetly, giving me a big hug.
“Same to you. And hey, I mean it. If you ever want to see a Broadway musical, I can get us great seats to literally any show and you can stay with me for the weekend.”
