Her lips curved slowly as laughter filled her pretty eyes. “No. I bet if we were inyourhometown, you wouldn’t be able to say that if we ran into someone.”
Once again, he tugged her close, his hand going to her jaw, his fingers just under her ear. “I think you’d be surprised.”
Their noses touched and he felt her breath against his lips. “You are definitely a surprise, Mr. King.”
A low growl left the back of his throat but it was neither the time or place. He wasn’t a fucking teenager with no control but she made him feel like one.
“Come on,” she whispered.
There were two stairs leading up to the fireplace area that had several comfortable-looking high-back chairs in soothing tones and patterns. Near the back of the area, Lexi stood up and waved at them even as she started walking their way. A tall, dark-haired guy whose dress shirt and dark jeans screamed money looked their way.
Maisie and Lexi hugged like they hadn’t just seen each otherthis morning. He found himself wondering if Ellie had this kind of friendship. He hoped so. He hated the thought of her being lonely and not having someone to turn to. She had Colt and him, but that wasn’t the same.
Living here will let you see her and Asher a lot more.One more reason in the plus column for retiring.
“I’m glad you guys came,” Lexi said as she pulled away and smiled at Nick.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Nick said.Us. We. Girlfriend.He had a whole new vocabulary. It shocked him that it came so easily.
“Come meet Will.” Lexi turned and walked the few steps to the guy who was obviously Will.
“Will, this is Nick King. Nick, this is my fiancé, Will Grand.”
The guys shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” Will said genuinely. He pulled his hand back, then he bent to hug Maisie. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” Maisie said.
They took off their jackets and hung them on a hook by the chairsbefore they settled around a dark-wood table with a pillar candle flickering softly in the middle.
They’d barely sat down when a tall, lanky guy with more earrings than Nick could count—everywherehe could see—showed up with a tray of drinks.
“Ethan said to give you a selection,” the guy said.
“Thanks, Zane,” Lexi said.
“No problem.”
The waiter set a flight of four different beers in front of each of them. “Let me know when you’re ready to order food.”
The guy smiled and went to greet other customers who’d just sat down.
Nick looked at the beer options, then glanced up at Lexi and Will. “Great service.”
Will laughed. “Ethan and I are close. We went to college together. Plus, Lexi works for him as the operations manager at their second location and marketing manager of both.”
Nick nodded, impressed. “Those are great titles. Must keep you busy.”
Lexi beamed, pride infusing her expression.
Maisie reached for a beer labeledYuletideand lifted it. “What he meant is, Ethan ishisbestie the way Lexi is mine.”
Lexi laughed loudly and Will shook his head, looked at Nick. “I don’t think any level of bromance could hold a candle to these two.”
Picking up a different beer that Nick couldn’t see the label for, Lexi held out her drink, clinked it with Maisie’s. “He’s not wrong. But don’t let that stop you from trying.”
Nick laughed and any lingering worry or tension slipped away. He should have known, just from being with Maisie, that her friends would be chill and cool.
They chatted about Christmas for the first little bit, tasting the beers and discussing the flavors. Nick wasn’t a fan of the Yuletide,which had a distinct aftertaste. The waiter came back and all of them ordered Side Tap burgers with fries.
