For being naturally incredibly hot, Bridget was actually quite shy. Whereas she used fashion to express the things she dared not say, Connie was not born with a modest bone in her loud, gorgeous body.
Me?
I was just one of the guys who didn’t care what you thought of my body.
Sure, I was in shape, but I didn’t wear form-fitting clothing or give makeup much consideration either.
So, I was used to being accepted by the guys and not fighting off advances.
At least I was until Connie had interrupted our game reel highlights by nudging me at the frat party to say, “Future baby daddy, five o’clock.”
Looking over my shoulder, my breath caught and I immediately felt every single hormone in my body flare to life. For the first time ever, I felt all female. This guy...he was perfect. Tall, strong, and filling out a flannel better than any farm boy I grew up with.
It was all I could do not to drool, and he was zeroed in on me.
Me!
Once he was in my space and towering over me, I focused on his stormy eyes and was proud I managed to introduce myself. As soon as our hands touched, I knew it, but hearing him say, “your future husband,” didn’t hurt either.
In that moment, I was a believer in love at first sight. Because it had happened to me.
My friends possessed a single-minded focus I was envious of.
Even after showing them the graffiti on the walls and explaining that someone broke into my house, the only topic they would entertain or seemed concerned with was Eddie.
Specifically, Eddie and I dating.
“—so, you’re dating your ex-husband,” Bridget sighed dreamily. “That’s so romantic.”
“It’s bullshit,” Connie argued. “He’s had what? A year? Why now?”
“Shit, Connie,” I hedged lamely. “It’s not easy to explain.”
“Because he knows you’re leaving, Pharis!”
As much as I wanted to yell back that she’s wrong, I feared she may be right so I said nothing.
What could I say? Eddie and I agreed to date exactly one day ago, it was too soon to analyze. So, I didn’t.
Plus, my girls watched me fall apart during and after my divorce.
They knew how hard it was for me to lose Eddie.
And they had front row seats as I lost myself in the process.
But I was surprised how quickly and effortlessly it was for me to slip back into the role of defending my ex-husband/boyfriend. I could actually feel my blood pressure rising.
“I’m sorry,” Connie said, breaking the silence and my need to slap her. “He broke you once, Pharis. The idea of him having the chance to do it again pisses me off. Plus, I’m dating a cop. It’s not like it’s going to be easy to kill one, you know?”
“I know,” I said, feeling the sincerity of her words, thus sinking further into my chair.
“And I know you still love him, that you never stopped. Just please...be careful.”
“Why is Butch here?” Bridget said, pointing at the driveway where Butch was, in fact, pulling into.
“He stops by from time to time,” I said waving, happy to see him.
“Does Eddie know that?” she asked with a concerned look on her face.
Shrugging, I take my drink with me over to meet him at his truck. Giving him a big hug, he returned it asking, “You okay?”
“Yes,” I smiled, enjoying my buzz a little. “It’s always good to see you, Butch. Bridget’s here, by the way.”
Ignoring my matchmaker ways, he squeezed me and said, “Guys’ll be here in a minute.”
“All of us in one place like old times?”
Losing his rakish grin, he said, “To sweep your place, Pharis.”
“Sweep my—”
Right on cue, Aaron and Eddie pulled up within seconds of each other and Eddie wasted no time pulling me from Butch’s embrace. The look that passed between them was new.
Because it was competitive.
And coming from Eddie, I didn’t like it.
Especially when it came to Butch.
“Thanks for coming,” Eddie said tightening his grip around my waist. “I got it from here.”
Rolling his eyes, Butch walked over to the porch to wait for us. But I knew it was to be closer to Bridget. He thought he was subtle, but he was wrong. “What the hell was that about?”
“Guy shit,” Eddie huffed. “Listen, I need you to stay outside with the girls while we—”
“Sweep my house.”
“Fucking Butch.”
“At least he includes me,” I fired back. And I don’t care if it bothered him that Butch kept me informed. It’s what friends do. It’s what ex-husbands now boyfriends should do.
Clearly wanting to say more, Eddie closes his eyes and silently counted to ten. “Wait outside.”
“Yes, sir, captain ass biscuit.”
“Pharis,” he warned. “This isn’t a fucking joke and seriously, while you wait, work on your swearing skills.”
“Fine,” I agree. “But this is fucking bullshit and creepy as hell. I want that on record.”
Kissing my temple, he said, “Noted,” at the same time Aaron asked Connie for her phone.
“Why?” she asked handing it over.
“Standard procedure,” he said gently as if he feared I’d lose it.
“You’re going to grill my dates, aren’t you?”
“Pharis...” Eddie said in the you-are-testing-my-patience-tone I hated.
“I went out like four times and nothing came of it, literally.”
“Let me be the judge of that,” he snarled. “Aaron will be discreet.”
At this, everyone laughed except Eddie.
Because Eddie was full of shit.