I nodded, but bit my tongue before commenting on his description of Serena’s character.
“As for the drink, yeah, man, I’m all in. Just let me go grab a quick shower and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Great,” Reardon said with a really happy smile. “I’ll go pop in at Rena’s to see how she’s doing. Want to just grab me over there when you’re ready?”
Although I really didn’t want to, I said, “Sure thing,” then we parted ways and I went inside to wash the stink off.
Chapter Three
Serena
I’d finished putting all of my dishes away in the kitchen, and my glass of wine, when I heard a knock on the front door. In my excitement to see who was there, I tripped over my feet and almost took a header in the hallway.
Luckily, I caught myself before face planting.
I could see Reardon’s tall frame through the stained-glass of my door. Nicknamed Viking by Gabe’s wife, and Reardon’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Zoey, Rear was pretty easy to pick out in a crowd. Or, through a stained-glass door. Super tall, with blonde good looks, and an adorkable personality, he was one of my favorite people.
“Hi,” I said happily as I wrenched open the door and flew into his arms.
“Hey,” Reardon replied, his arms coming around me and squeezing me tight. He was a great hugger. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, great,” I assured him, pulling back and grinning up at him. Like way up. “I’m just happy to see you.”
“I’m happy to be seen,” Reardon joked, letting me lead him inside before shutting the door. “Wow, this place is great. I’ve never seen one of the two bedrooms. I like it … very cozy.”
“Mhmmm, I like it, too. Although I’ll like it more once everything is put away in its proper place.”
Reardon chuckled. I was notorious for liking things neat and tidy. Clutter drove me batty.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked, the hostess skills that had been ingrained in me since birth kicking in. “I don’t have beer, but I have wine and bottled water.”
“No, thanks,” Reardon said, looking around as we walked into the kitchen. “I’m actually about to head to the bar, if you’d like to come.”
For the Lewises, the bar always meant our Uncle Zeke and Aunt Annabeth’s place in the town center of Cherry Springs.
“That would be great, actually,” I said, thinking a familiar place full of people I knew was just what I needed. “I’ll just go change out of these dusty clothes. Go ahead and look around, if you want.”
“I’ll do that,” Reardon said, already walking out of the kitchen to explore.
I turned down the hall in the opposite direction, heading toward the back of the house where the master bedroom was. The second bedroom I would use as an office and the building in the back that had been built as a workshop, would be my art studio.
I pushed past the boxes to the suitcase that was still open on my bed from earlier. The bed was the only thing in the room that was assembled and ready.
After pulling out a pair of jeans and a pretty blue top with a brocade neckline, I went to the adjoining bathroom to change and freshen up.
Once my makeup had been touched up, my hair brushed, and my clothes changed, I went back out to find my cousin, eager to be off. Not that I didn’t want to work on my house and have it ready as soon as possible, but the girls were all coming over in the morning to help, and I could really go for a hot meal and a stiff drink.
“Ready,” I called, shutting my bedroom door behind me.
When I didn’t get a response, I walked through the house and peeked in the rooms, looking for Reardon. The house wasn’t that big, and when I didn’t find him in any of the rooms, I realized the back door was cracked open.
I walked out the door off of the kitchen and onto the porch, looking out over the yard and seeing the door to my studio was open.
He’s so nosy, I thought with a chuckle, then bounded down the steps and across the yard.
“Hey, I’m ready,” I called out as I opened the door to find Reardon standing in the middle of the small building.
“This is really great space, Rena,” Reardon said as he looked around.
It was still pretty empty, with a few wrapped canvases against one wall and the boxes with my art supplies lining another. I had plans to buy a workbench, a few more easels, and some decorative plants to fill it up.
“Yeah, it was what sold the house for me,” I admitted. “I can’t wait to use it.”
Reardon crossed to me and put an arm around my shoulder.
“It’s good that you’re painting again, and working at the gallery. It’s important to do what you love,” my cousin said as we walked out of the studio.
I nodded, not really knowing how to respond. I always felt self-conscious talking about my painting, so I changed the subject and asked, “How’s Chloe?”
“Going stark-raving mad. If this baby doesn’t come soon, I’m afraid she’s going to murder me in my sleep.”
I chuckled at his response.
“Always so dramatic, Rear.”
“No, I’m serious, the woman is tired of being held captive by our California King, not that I blame her. I’d have lost it weeks ago.”
We went through the house so I could lock up, and when we went out the front door, I was surprised to see my nosy neighbor standing on the porch, fist raised to knock.
Before I could ask what he was doing there, Reardon grinned and said, “Perfect timing, we’re all ready.”
Jed and I looked at each other, confused at first, then we both grimaced when we realized Reardon had invited both of us to the bar.
I locked the door, then turned to see Reardon looking between Jed and me, a look of confusion spread across his handsome face. Not wanting him to think there was a problem, I plastered on my best smile and hooked my arms through both of the men’s arms.
“Let’s do this,” I said cheerfully.
Thankfully, Jed went along. He didn’t smile or pretend to be excited about the fact that I was joining them, but he left my arm where it was and walked down the steps next to me. So, that was something.
I supposed he could have pushed me off and told Reardon I was a jerk.
When we got down to the sidewalk, I looked at the street, then turned my head to look both ways.
“Um, what are we driving?” I asked.
“That,” Reardon said, pointing to the minivan that was currently parked in front of my house.
“Whose car is that?” I asked, with a laugh.
“Mine,” Reardon replied excitedly. “It has tons of room for the baby, Chris, and his football buddies. Plus, there’s a TV in the back, so we can watch movies. It’s great.”
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen,” I joked, but opened the door to get inside.
“Oh, stuff it,” Reardon said with a huff, and I knew I wasn’t the first Lewis cousin to give him shit over his new vehicle.
“Well, I think it’s great,” Jed said as he got in the back. “How do you work this TV?”
I rolled my eyes, but kept my face forward as Reardon happily showed Jed how to get the TV going.
Then, with the theme song of Star Wars playing on the TV, we were on our way to the family bar.
Chapter Four
Jed
I shouldn’t have been surprised Reardon invited Serena. They were family after all, and she’d just moved back to town. Still, the excitement I’d had over heading to the bar to hang out with my friend quickly faded with the realization.
Maybe I could have a beer, then beg off saying I had work to do, I thought as we walked into the dimly lit space.
The Lewis’ family bar was a cool mix of biker bar and sports bar, with dark wood, and pictures of their son, Gabriel Lewis, plastered throughout. Along with his NFL Jersey, team pictures throughout the years, and other memorabilia.
It had a chill vibe, offered great food, and there was always someone you knew either working behind the bar, or sitting
at it.
“Jed, how’s it going, mate?” my buddy, Shane, called from behind the bar. He’d known Gabe in college, and had come to Cherry Springs from Australia to work and get his Master’s degree.
“Good, brother, how ‘bout you?” I asked, crossing to the bar to slap palms with him.
“Can’t complain,” Shane said with a grin.
That was the thing about Shane … he never complained, and he was always grinning.
“I’m here with Rear and Rena, can we get a pitcher?” I asked. “You got a break coming up?”
Shane shook his head. “Already took it, but I’ll stop by when it slows down.”
“Sounds good.”
I turned and found Reardon and Serena had joined Jasmine and Dillon, two more Lewis cousins. In addition to that, they were twins, who worked for the same company, Lewis Sporting Goods.
I felt a twinge of relief that there were more people in our party, so I wouldn’t be obligated to talk too much to Serena, then felt an almost immediate answering twinge of guilt.
There’s no need to be a dick, maybe she’d been having a bad day.
Deciding to give her another shot, I joined the group, and although I sat on the end nearest Reardon and Dillon, I vowed to be open-minded where Serena was concerned.
“Hey, Jazzy, Dillon, how’s things?” I asked with a grin as I took my seat.
“Better now that you’re here, Handyman Jed,” Jasmine called with a saucy wink, causing me to chuckle.
She had a myriad of nicknames for me in addition to handyman … Sexy Jed, Carpenter Jed, Stubblicious Jed … The chick was a riot.
I knew she didn’t mean anything by it. Her comments were all in good fun. The girl was a born flirt, and I could admit, I enjoyed a good flirt myself, but nothing had, nor would ever, happen between us. Not only because her brother, and cousins, would cut off my balls if I ever even thought about going there, but because Shane had wanted her since before had I come to town.
And I’d never poach from a friend, no matter how funny, sexy, and sweet Jasmine was.
“Aw, shucks,” I replied with a grin, tipping my imaginary hat.
Jasmine’s throaty laugh filled the bar as Shane walked up with two pitchers. His gaze latched on her briefly, before swinging around the rest of the table and giving us all a big grin as he set down the beer.
“Here you are, let me know if you want to order food and I’ll send Becs over.”
“Thanks, Shane,” Serena said with what looked like a genuine smile. “I’d love to order.”
“You got it,” Shane said with a wink.
The rest of us shouted our need for food, getting a little louder than necessary as we egged each other on.
“Enough!” a woman yelled back, causing us to shut up and turn toward the sound.
Annabeth, Gabe’s mother and aunt of everyone at the table but me, stood behind the bar, her face stern.
“What are you, a bunch of jackals?” she asked, hands on her hips. “Becs’ll be over in a minute, and if you can’t wait, you can go in the back and make your own food.”
“Sorry, Aunt A,” Dillon replied sweetly, but she just rolled her eyes at him, turned, and walked into the back.
“Kiss ass,” Jazzy whispered.
Dillon ignored her and began pouring the beer into the glasses Becs had just brought.
“Do you already know what you want to order?” she asked, not bothering to bring menus.
We went around the table, starting with the ladies, and gave Becs our orders. When she finally got to me, Becs turned her body toward me and smiled. She was pretty, with short black hair and a dimpled grin, but was a little too young for me.
That never stopped her from trying, though.
“What can I get for you, Jed?” she asked, lowering her voice so her tone came out smoky.
My body reacted of its own free will at the sound, coupled with the way she was looking at me … like she hoped I’d order her off the menu.
“Uh,” I began, struggling to remember why I always ignored her advances … She’s only twenty-one, she’s only twenty-one, I repeated in my head until my brain could function again. “I’d like the cheeseburger, all the way, with the sweet potato fries.”
“You watching your carbs?” she asked, leaning in a bit so I could see down her shirt.
Jeez, I blinked and kept my eyes on hers, you’re a whole decade older than her.
“Nah,” I said, keeping my tone even as I lifted my beer to my lips, “I just like sweet potato fries.”
“I was gonna say … cause your body looks damn near perfect to me.”
I almost choked on my beer as she sauntered off, swinging her hips as she looked over her shoulder at me.
Dillon and Reardon chuckled, and Jasmine said, “Looks like someone’s got a crush,” but when I looked at Serena, I couldn’t read her expression. It almost looked annoyed, but what the hell did she have to be annoyed about, I was the one who had to fend off the advances of the pretty, young millennial.
Chapter Five
Serena
It took all of my willpower not to give an exaggerated eye roll over Becs fawning all over Jed.
I mean, yeah, I could admit the man was good-looking, even with the stubble, but the girl was practically salivating. It wasn’t that I was jealous, obviously, or really even cared one way or another, but still, girl, have a little respect.
“What are you huffing about?” Jazzy asked quietly, leaning in close.
“What? Nothing.” I protested, picking up the beer the guys had given me, then putting it back down. “Why do I have this? I don’t want beer.”
“What do you want?” Jazzy asked with a smirk. “Jed?”
“No,” I replied, a little too loudly.
When the guys turned to look at me, I just smiled then scooted closer to Jasmine and whispered, “Why would you even ask such a thing?”
“Well,” Jasmine began. “Because you looked like you wanted to rip Becs’ arm off and beat her with it when she was flirting with Jed, even though it’s obvious he isn’t interested. Or, maybe, because Jed is seriously easy on the eyes, and you haven’t been laid in over a year…”
“Hey!” I cried, looking over her shoulder to make sure no one heard her. When I was satisfied they didn’t, I looked into her pretty green eyes and asked, “Could you not announce my lack of a love life to the entire bar?”
“Sorry,” my cousin said with a wince, “I didn’t mean to say it so loud. Anyway, my point is, Jed’s hot and single … you’re hot and single. Why not go for it?”
I looked at Mr. Tall, Dark, and Annoying for a moment, pondering, then shook my head.
“He’s not my type,” I replied, then looked at her curiously and asked, “Have you? Gone for it … with Jed?”
Jasmine looked over her shoulder then turned back with a grin.
“Nah. I thought about it when we first met, but he’s too close to the family now. Everyone would be all up in our business.”
I scoffed, “Then why do you want me to go there?”
Jasmine lifted one shoulder.
“It’s different for you. You just got back and haven’t been around him as much, he’s practically a stranger.”
“He is a stranger.”
“There, see, so why not get to know him better by getting in his pants.”
“Jeez,” I gasped, my cheeks heating. “What is wrong with you?”
Jazzy just chuckled and stood up.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“Didn’t you say you wanted something else to drink? Let’s go to the bar, our food won’t be out for a little while yet.”
I pushed the full glass of beer back toward the pitcher so someone else could drink it, then got up to follow Jasmine to the bar.
“You lovely ladies need something else?” Shane asked as he sauntered over to us.
Now, there’s a man who is always sweet, is terribly sexy, and has a hot Australian accent to top it off,
I thought as I smiled at Shane. Unfortunately, he’d been mooning over Jasmine as long as I’d known him.
And, for some reason, although she’d flirt with him just like she would any man within a twenty-mile radius, Jasmine had never given him the time of day.
“I’d like a dirty martini,” I said, then leaned over the bar and added throatily, “Extra dirty.”
Shane leaned over on the other side, coming so close there was just a couple inches between our faces. I could see the different shades of blue in his eyes and smell his scent, which was somehow always beachy.
“How about a pash for it?” he asked, his voice low and sexy.
“Knock it off,” Jasmine said a little too harshly, her hand reaching between us to push Shane back.
Shane just winked at me and moved to make my drink.
“What’s a pash?” I asked, grinning when I turned to see Jasmine scowling back at me. “Now who’s jealous?” I couldn’t help but ask, needling her the way she’d done me.
“I’m not jealous, but flirting with his friend isn’t going to get Jed to ask you out.”
Growling, I said, “I don’t want him to ask me out. Please stop talking about it. If he wants to hook up with Becs, he can have at it.”
“Becs?” Shane asked as he set my glass down in front of me. “Don’t worry about her, she’s a bit of a goer, but she’s harmless. Jed’s not interested, but she can’t seem to stop herself.”
“What’s a goer?” I asked, picking up my martini and taking a sip. “Mmmm, delicious.”
Shane grinned at me and answered, “It means she likes sex.”
“Oh,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm. “And, how about a pash?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Shane lowered his voice again in that sexy way, making him even more irresistible than he already was. “It’s a kiss … a good, long, hot, passionate kiss.”
I think I squeaked in response.
Shane walked away with a chuckle to help another customer, and I looked over to see Jasmine glaring at me again.
Too Enchanting Page 2
