His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I’d forgotten you were in the middle of a suit. We read about you in the paper the other day. You’re fighting for your dad’s company, aren’t you?”
I ignored the pang in my gut at the mention of my father. “Yeah. It’s a mess.” I hoped they’d read the article about my volunteering, even though it painted me in a ludicrous light, and not the articles from the society pages about The Publishing Princess. That’s what the press was calling me. Ridiculous.
“Our civil partners would be handling a case like that. We won’t have anything to do with it besides the intake.” He offered me a glass of white wine, which I accepted gratefully. I needed a little bit of fake courage. “How long ago did your father pass?” His voice was sympathetic.
“Only six months. It’s still raw. I’d rather not talk about it tonight.” I gave him a wavering smile. If I put on a brave face, it often made me braver inside. Or, it at least made it easier to tuck the immense pain into a corner.
He squeezed my arm. “You bet. So, since we’re the names on the building, one of us does the intake on every case our firm takes. I’m sure I’ll find an appointment with you on my calendar when I go back to work.” His wide grin made my breath catch in my throat.
“A week from today, but I don’t know who with.” I sipped the sweet wine and glanced around the room at the other guests. Besides the two friends I’d noticed at Arch’s apartment in the past, only a handful of men and women played cards at the dining room table.
“I’ll make sure it’s me so you’re comfortable.” He smiled down at me. “Our law firm covers a wide spectrum of litigation. We have six different lawyers currently practicing with us, each of whom excels in their own specializations.” He poured several liquids into a container and began to shake vigorously. “We heard about your case and wanted to approach you, but we’d never step on Charles Saniger’s toes. He’s respected in this town.”
Charles was more well-known than I’d realized. “Should I be here?” I would’ve hated to lose my second lawyer because of a technicality.
“Yeah it’s fine. We’re criminal lawyers. None of our civil partners are here. As long as we don’t have anything to do with your actual case, there’s no conflict of interest.” Arch wandered over to the couch and sat down.
Since I didn’t know anyone else in the room, I followed him. “Want to play a little Mario Kart?” he asked.
Here was my chance to embarrass myself. “Sure, but I have to warn you: I’m terrible at any and every video game I’ve ever tried.”
Arch let out a boyish laugh. “I’ll take it easy on you.” He handed me a black controller, and I tried to remember which buttons did what. The last time I played the game, Todd and I were teenagers.
Half an hour and ten races later, I’d maintained my spot in last place, and two other guys joined us. Wes was the massive blond I met at the door. The other, Gray, was a slender—yet also muscular—Latino man with hair longer than mine. It reached halfway down his back and was glossy like a hair product commercial. His voice had the smooth lilt of someone used to switching flawlessly between Spanish and English.
Every time the game was paused, I stopped myself from staring out of the corner of my eye at the three guys sitting around me. It was surreal to be playing a video game with three hot guys
They teased me like I was one of the group, which helped relax me considerably. I even started teasing them back.
“Ouch. I thought you were supposed to be good at this game,” I teased Gray when his character fell into a ravine.
“Laugh it up. I’ve already lapped you once.” His accent was Southern, the same as his two friends.
I spent a second too long watching him, and when I turned to the game, I was driving into a wall. Correcting myself, I focused on the race for the last lap and managed to end the game in second-to-last place, instead of last. “Hey! I didn’t come in last. It’s a small victory.” I pumped my fist into the air.
My wine glass set on the coffee table, forgotten. I grabbed it and slurped the rest of the wine, suddenly thirsty.
“Can I get you some more?” Wes offered. He reached his hand out for my glass.
“Thanks. Yes, but only one more. I have no desire to wake up with a hangover.” I smiled up at him as he rose. For such a big person, I expected him to be a bit clumsy, but he moved with grace.
Gray was putting our controllers in the entertainment cabinet when a song came on I hadn’t heard in years. I squealed. “I love this song.” It was a ballad from a boy band popular when I was a freshman in high school. I leaned back on the couch, head back, and hummed along. “This takes me back.”
When I opened my eyes, Arch stared at me like I’d grown a baboon butt on my forehead. Gray stood in front of the entertainment center with an equally bewildered expression on his face. “What?” I asked.
“I’m not sure what their problem is, but I’ve never heard this song in my life. How old are you?” Wes spoke from behind me as he walked around the couch to hand me the wine.
The song was iconic. Everyone my age, plus or minus three or so years, would recognize it. “I’m twenty-one. How old are you?” I said a little prayer they weren’t two decades older than me with youthful faces.
Arch answered for them. “We’re all twenty-eight. Gray is the youngest, and Wes the oldest.”
I gawked at them. “You say that like you’re brothers. Usually, only siblings talk like that.” The only way they were siblings was if their dad was naughty and got all their moms pregnant at the same time. Their appearances and features were completely different.
They laughed, like I told a big joke. “We’re not biological brothers, but we grew up together. We might as well be blood.”
That made a little more sense. If they’d known each other all their lives, they probably thought like brothers. “If you don’t know this song, I can’t help you. You’ve missed out.”
A debate started about the best kind of music to listen to. Turns out all three were fans of metal music. “If you all like metal, then why are we listening to pop now?”
Arch discreetly pointed to one of the women sitting at the table playing cards. “It’s her iPod. She took over when she got here and plugged it in.” He shrugged. “It’s one night of music we don’t care for. We can deal.” He glanced at his friends. “Besides, we would’ve been arguing over what kind of metal to listen to.”
I was impressed with his laid back attitude. I sipped my wine and contemplated the guys I’d dated. Most were adamant about music choices. “I know most people roll their eyes when someone says this, but I’m pretty eclectic. I love pop music, but I also love metal, rock, and a little bit of country. And, I’ve been known to listen to a little classical or Broadway hits.”
My gaze was on Gray when I finished talking, and his face was frozen like he was trying hard not to roll his eyes. “Name one metal band you like.” His voice was skeptical, and his attitude was a little uppity for me, like how so-called metal heads acted.
“Black Sabbath is my favorite and always will be.” I fought the urge to raise one eyebrow and purse my lips. I schooled my features into a neutral, calm expression. “Before you ask, my favorite song is War Pigs, followed by Fairies Wear Boots.”
Gray’s skeptical expression broke, and he chuckled. I said a small prayer of thanks to the music gods. I’d dated a guy the year before that worshipped Black Sabbath. I did like them, but I would’ve never known a single song name without his obsession. I made a mental note to send him a Christmas card.
“Nice,” Wes said. “I’m impressed.” He sat beside me on the couch again and grinned appreciatively. “So, you’re eclectic, but do you love music?”
“The only thing I love more than music is reading. I wish I could play an instrument.” I sang all through high school, but never had an inclination to try to learn to play.
“It’s never too late to learn,” said Arch. “Gray could teach you to play guitar.
”
Gray shook his head. “Heck no, man. I tried to teach a girl one time, and I do not have the patience.”
I laughed at his honesty. “I don’t have the time now. I like to spend time volunteering, plus school and school work takes up a lot of my time.” I rolled my eyes. “And now the lawsuit. Maybe one day I will, but for now, I’ll listen and be a music fan.” I sipped my wine, determined to make it last. No rough morning for me.
“Where do you go to school?” Arch seemed genuinely interested in my life.
“I’m a junior at Southern.” I fought a smile, flattered and proud of my school. I’d earned the grades for an ivy league but never did enough extracurricular to be of interest to them. I volunteered some in high school, but not as much as I’d been doing lately. Southern was a great alternative to an ivy.
Gray’s face lit up. “You’re kidding!” He leaned forward. “I do guest lectures for their pre-law students!”
I laughed, but then got serious. “So now I’m at a party with partners from the law firm I’m about to hire and a professor at my college?” Disappointment clenched my chest. “I guess I’d better go home.”
Gray threw up his hands. “No, wait. You’re civil, right? Not criminal?” I gave him a curt nod and a sad smile. “Then we’re golden. I’m a guest at the college. Not on the payroll or anything. Please, stay.”
“If someone needed to leave over the college thing, I’d make Gray go,” Arch deadpanned. His face was so serious that I smiled at Gray sympathetically.
Gray punched Arch in the arm. “Whatever, man.” Arch’s serious expression broke, and they both busted out laughing.
Before we could get back into our conversation, Arch got called over to the card players. “Whoops. I guess I’ve been ignoring them,” he whispered to me before he got up. “I’ll return in a few.” I grinned at his back, thankful for his hospitality. I was comfortable enough with his friends by then. I’d even stopped gawking at them.
Gray, Wes, and I shared a short awkward silence after Arch made his exit. I scrambled to find something to talk about. “Ahh, Gray?”
“Yeah?” He questioned.
“What’s it short for?” Surely it was a nickname.
“Nothing. My parents liked the name.”
I tried to pull my foot out of my mouth. “I like it.” I raised my glass to my lips to avoid saying anything more. Gray laughed at my expression. I tried for a whoops face. Hopefully, I pulled it off.
Wes interjected, “Wesley.”
I smiled at him. “I like your name, too, Wes.”
He buffed his nails on his shirt. “Of course you do.” The tension broke with his antics. “Ellie, would you like something to eat?”
Wes was a natural host. He kept trying to make sure I didn’t need anything. “No, I’m good, thanks.” I got up to stretch my legs and glanced around the room. Arch sat at the table, but only two people remained. I checked my phone and found we’d chatted about music and random bits of nothing for two hours. It was after ten.
Arch put the cards they played in their case. The two women at the table got up and waved to the three of us standing by the couches. As they walked out the door, I noticed they were holding hands. Definitely not a love interest of Arch’s then, not that I cared about his love interests.
I swallowed the last bit of my wine and walked the glass to the kitchen sink. Arch’s floor plan was even more open than mine. A half-wall separated my kitchen from my living area, but only an island divided his.
I turned to find Arch, Wes, and Gray sitting at the kitchen table. “I should head out, too.” I didn’t want to leave, but I also didn’t want to be the only person left at a party. The three of them didn’t count, as they were joined at the hip. I leaned against the kitchen island.
“Oh, come on,” protested Arch. “I was about to suggest a movie.” He pointed toward the shelves of movies on his entertainment unit. “Pick one out.”
I stared at the shelves of movies with longing. I hadn’t expected to have so much fun. But Todd’s voice whispered in my ear, “Always leave them wanting more.”
Sighing, I shook my head. “Sorry guys. I promised I’d go by the shelter and walk the cat early tomorrow.”
Gray opened his mouth, but then he snapped it shut. He gave me a concerned glance before speaking. “Don’t you mean walk the dog?” His tone said, ‘Are you okay? You’re talking crazy.’
Laughter bubbled out of my mouth. “I’m considering adopting this cat. He’s a Maine Coon, and someone leash trained him like a dog. If he’s not walked two or three times a day he gets cranky.” I did love that cat.
Wes’s face lit up. “I have a cat. He’s a huge, orange tabby named Lemmy.” He grinned the way only pet owners could—like their pet was their baby—and also a little like a maniac. “You should definitely adopt the shelter kitty. What’s his name?”
“I, uh…” I paused for dramatic effect. “I’ve been calling him Satan. He’s a little bit evil.” I downplayed it because he was a lot evil.
I shouldn’t have worried; they all laughed. Apparently, naming a cat after the devil was acceptable in their social circles.
“I’d love to meet Satan,” said Wes. Arch and Gray chimed in the same.
“If I do decide to adopt him, you’ll be the first people I call.” I smiled indulgently at them. They weren’t just pretty faces, they were truly nice guys. I’ve never seen a girl here with Arch, but surely the other two have girlfriends. I rolled my eyes. What did I care if they had girlfriends or not?
“I’ll walk you home,” Wes said. He stood and held out his arm like a cotillion escort. I said my goodbyes to Gray and thanked Arch for inviting me. Then, I took Wes’s arm like it was a normal occurrence for me to be escorted five feet from Arch’s door to mine.
While I dug my key out of my pocket, I tried to convince myself Wes was being big-brotherly and not romantic. Because if he was being romantic… I could get used to that sort of chivalry.
I opened my door. “Thank you for walking me home. I’ve never felt safer in my own hallway.” I gave him a goofy grin to show I was joking. He didn’t know me enough yet to read the tone of my voice.
“Actually, Ellie, I wanted to ask you something.” He rubbed his neck, blond hair barely reaching his hand.
“Sure, what’s up?” Maybe he wanted to go volunteer with me. I’d managed to bring in lots of volunteers over the years.
“Can I ask you out to dinner sometime?” He smiled at me with his panty-melting smile again. He must’ve known the effect it had on women because he flashed it at the perfect time to elicit a ‘yes’ from me.
“I’m about to start a case with your firm. Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?” As much as I’d like to get to know him, I couldn’t afford to do anything to damage my case.
“No, actually. We wouldn’t be able to discuss your case, and I wouldn’t be able to have anything to do with it at work, but as long as we followed the rules, it would be legal and ethical.” His face turned hopeful. “So, dinner?”
I’d been asked out plenty of times in my life, but only by guys more on my playing field. Physically, I was out of my element with Wes and his friends. Who are you kidding? He’s gorgeous, and given his job, intelligent. And, he loves cats. That’s enough to start with. Say yes. “Sure, Wes, we can get dinner sometime.” I lowered my eyes, a little embarrassed at how fast I agreed to a date with a man I’d just met.
“Great.” He sounded excited. “How about tomorrow night?”
Holy crow! That gave me no time to prepare. “Yeah, that’s fine. Could I see your phone?” He handed over his cell, and I programmed it with my number. “Text me in the morning, and we’ll decide where,” I said as I returned the phone.
I slipped into my apartment and turned on my monitor. Wes did the typical guy ‘yes’ motion, pumping his hand and pulling up one knee as he made his way across the hall, like a teenager whose crush told him she’d go to prom with him.
Once
I locked the door and set the alarm, I made my way to my bedroom. Grabbing my phone, I texted Todd to see if the movie was over. I couldn’t wait to tell him about my date. Before I could type, a text came through from a number I didn’t know.
Unknown: This is Wes. I wanted you to have my number. Sleep well.
I stared at the words for several seconds before typing in a reply.
Ellie: Have fun with your brothers. Talk to you tomorrow.
I forgot my text to Todd. I threw myself on my bed and stared at the ceiling with a huge smile on my face. I crumbled when I realized my dad hadn’t crossed my mind more than once or twice all evening. For the first time in six months, he didn’t dominate my thoughts.
Guilt set in as I hugged a pillow with my dad’s shirt on it. It still smelled like his aftershave and cigars. I dreaded the day the scent faded. I finally found my way to sleep on a pillow damp with tears.
Chapter Three
My alarm made a horrible buzzing sound, making me want to throw it out of my fifth-floor window. I cracked one eye open and glared across the room at the alarm clock. I learned years ago to keep it out of arm’s reach, or I’d never get out of bed in the morning. I let out a little scream. “I’m up! God, shut up.” I only drank two glasses of wine the night before, but my head pounded like I downed the entire bottle.
I rolled out of bed and shuffled over to my dresser to shut the alarm up. Next stop, coffee pot. Thanks to an automatic timer, the smell of it brewing woke me up enough to prevent me from climbing back in bed. I continued my morning zombie shuffle through the living room and into my kitchen to the fresh pot on my counter. Sweet nectar. I poured a cup and added a generous helping of pumpkin coffee creamer.
I curled up in the plush chair beside my living room window and yawned as I watched the city wake up. As much as I hated mornings, I needed a few minutes to let my brain catch up to the day. I always allowed myself an extra thirty minutes to get moving.
Coffee crept into my veins and loaned me a semblance of humanity when my phone went off in my bedroom. The catchy Madonna song told me it was Todd calling.
Falling For Them Volume 2: Reverse Harem Collection Page 36
