Chapter Thirteen
No matter how much Wendy tried, she just couldn’t stop smiling. All morning long she had been smiling while she worked on the decorations, so much so that even Vincent commented on it.
“You certainly seem chipper,” he said.
“Uh, just got a good night’s rest.”
A knowing smirk appeared on his face. “Somehow I doubt that.”
In truth, she was so happy at that moment, she couldn’t work up any embarrassment. Vincent seemed content to not press her on it either.
It didn’t help that Cato was always around her, whether it was hanging up something for Vincent or piecing together the dance floor they had ordered. Many times he’d stretched in a way that would show off his delicious muscles, the same ones she’d explored with her hands, legs, and mouth.
He didn’t smile like she’d seen the night before, but every so often she would find his eyes on her, and a flush would trickle down her body. It took all her Army discipline not to suggest they sneak out for a mid-afternoon quickie or to run over and lick him.
She really wanted him, and she knew he really wanted her.
Wendy had never felt like this in her life. It wasn’t exactly easy to make a woman in the Army feel like a delicate thing to be cherished, but that’s exactly how she felt.
“No, no, no, not there,” Vincent shouted.
Cato grunted. “Just point.”
She bit back a laugh.
* * *
When Wendy headed out to lunch, she’d regained some small ability to not grin like an idiot, but it still slipped through. After grabbing her food from the line, she spotted Leah and Jamie. The pair waved to her, and she headed toward them.
She exhaled and tried to not smile so much. They were like emotional sharks. They’d smell last night on her if she gave them any reason to suspect something had happened, but she wasn’t going to avoid her friends just because she’d gotten laid.
“Hello,” Wendy said, and took a seat.
“Heya,” Jamie said.
Leah nodded and swallowed a spoonful of her soup.
Wendy decided to taste a bit of her sandwich, as the pair continued on a conversation she’d apparently interrupted with her arrival. Besides, she wanted to spend a little more time thinking about her evening fun.
She took a bite of her sandwich, ignoring the idle chit-chat between Jamie and Leah for the moment. She didn’t really want to get into anything lengthy anyway, as she wanted to get back to the party preparations sooner than later.
Wendy almost wanted to laugh. She’d been so worried about the assignment, but it was turning into one of the easiest and most enjoyable of her entire time in the Army. Before she knew it, a broad smile appeared on her face.
“Oh my God!” Jamie squealed. “I know what that shit-eating grin means. You got laid!”
Stupid Jamie.
Wendy almost choked on her food. Several of the men around them stopped what they were doing to listen in. Great, now her love life would be gossip fodder for the hybrids and soldiers.
After finishing swallowing her food, Wendy turned to glare at Jamie. “Ever heard of privacy? Maybe you should say it for the guys in the back. Don’t think they heard you. Maybe we can get on the PA system and announce it all over Luna Lodge. Or send an e-mail out to everyone in my unit and the Lodge.”
Jamie rolled her eyes. “But you don’t deny it.”
Shit. Wrong move.
“Interesting,” Leah said, a faint smirk on her face. “Really interesting.” She eyed Wendy for several seconds. “So I take it your party plans are going well.”
Wendy tried to play it cool. Maybe she could trick them off the hunt. “They’re going fine.” She waved a hand. “Everything is nearly done. All we really need to do after today is set things up for Sunday.” She shrugged. “Maybe if I ever leave the Army, I could start an event coordination business.” She chuckled, hoping her banter would distract them from the events she’d rather not talk about.
“That well, really?” Leah stared at her for a moment. A dangerous grin appeared on her face. “So what I’m hearing you say is that you’re free to bring your stud out with us tonight.”
Wendy froze. Shit. Wrong move again. It’s like they were playing chess, and she was playing checkers.
Her mind reeled as she tried to come up with a half-way decent excuse. “I really don’t think—”
She stopped talking when she noticed the two women staring directly behind her. She inhaled deeply, and a familiar scent reached her nose. She turned and found Cato standing there, tray of food in hand.
“I just thought I would…” he said with a shrug.
Leah smiled up at him. “Have a seat. We were just inviting the two of you out tonight. I thought it’d be fun to have another couple.”
Cato sat down next to Wendy, and heat spread over her face from his nearness. “Out?” he asked.
Wendy responded first. “It’s not really out but to the E-Club.” He nodded and turned his attention to the roast chicken on his plate. She wondered if he’d ever been there before. “They… we’re going with Alair and Nikon.”
Cato brought up his head from his food and stared between Jamie and Leah, a curious look on his face.
“Friends of yours?” Wendy asked.
Cato nodded. “Yeah.” He looked over to her, his bright eyes staring directly into her soul. “So a date?”
She wasn’t sure if he was asking her on one, or if they should call it a date. Wendy placed her hand on his thigh. She wasn’t quite sure what they had together, but she didn’t want it to end with a one-night stand. And Cato was giving every indication that he wanted something more.
“That would be nice.” She smiled.
Jamie let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m getting second-degree burns from the heat you two are giving off.”
Cato looked down at his lunch while Wendy glared at her mood-killing friend. She’d have to have a talk with her later.
With just a few bites, Cato managed to eat everything on his plate and stood.
Wendy could see he was at his social limit. Cato wasn’t a guy who said much, and despite how angry he might look, inside was a man who cared far more than he let on. Maybe that was why he’d been assigned to help with the party.
Cato looked over to Leah. “What time?”
“We figured we’d all meet at the club at 7:15.”
He stared down at Wendy. “I’ll pick you up at 7:00.”
She nodded. The heat coming back to her cheeks.
She watched as he walked away. Her gaze slid down his back and landed on the firm ass now covered by jeans.
“Yeah, I’d totally stare at that all day,” Jamie said.
Wendy turned to stare in shock at her friend.
Jamie shrugged. “What? He’s worth the stare.”
Wendy took another bite of her sandwich. “I thought you had a date tonight. Shouldn’t you not be staring at other men’s asses?”
Jamie winked. “Date, not a wedding.” She leaned in a little. “But more importantly, what are you going to wear?”
“Jeans and a t-shirt.”
Wendy took another bite of her sandwich. The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. It wasn’t like it was that big a deal. After all, he’d already seen her with her clothes off. He doubted he was going to judge her over not being fashionable.
Jamie dropped her fork on her plate.
Leah chuckled. “To be fair, it’s an improvement from her yoga pants.”
Wendy glared at Leah. “Thanks,” she said sarcastically.
“There is no way you’re going on a date with that sexy hunk of man meat dressed like a hobo,” Jamie said with force.
Wendy scoffed. “Hobo? Really?”
Jamie ignored the protest. “Either you pick something, or I will.”
Wendy winced. There was no way in hell she was letting Jamie pick her clothes. Most exposed a bit too much for her taste, and the last time she’d done so, she spent most of the night trying to either pull the material up or down depending on what area decided to show off too much.
“Fine,” she said, and took a large bite. “I’ll wear the black dress.”
Jamie looked like she wanted to protest but stopped because of the death stare Wendy was giving her.
“Great,” Leah said. “Looks like a fun night of date, date, and pretend date.”
Wendy felt bad for her friend. Despite her homebody-like ways, she knew Leah wanted to find someone. Unfortunately, it might be that Luna Lodge just wouldn’t be the place for that.
“You never know, Nikon might be the one,” Jamie said.
Leah rolled her eyes. “Don’t think I’ll hold my breath on that one.”
Wendy glanced over to Jamie. They grew quiet for a moment, their mutual worry for their friend evident.
Leah sighed. “Hey,” she said after a moment. “I’m fine. Really.” She smiled at them both. “I’m just glad to spend some time with my girls.”
Wendy smiled back. She’d missed this. A good set of female friends she could count on that cared, but who weren’t plugged into the Army.
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m glad to have you both.” They both turned to look at her. The one least prone to getting mushy had just gone there. “What? Stop looking at me, or I’ll take it back.”
They broke out into laughter, and all the tension from before eased away. The night was going to be great. She’d make sure.