I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in amusement. “That man can’t let shit go.”
“He’s worse than a chick,” Sawyer replies. “At least you don’t have to work with him like I do.”
I hear a ruckus in the hallway and look over Sawyer’s shoulder. “What’s going on out there?”
“Walker went back down really quick to get the girls. That must be them.”
Dammit, Walker. I should have known he couldn’t let it just be the guys tonight. Kylie doesn’t count; she’s one of us. But I’m not in the mood for a rowdy bunch of single women.
Speaking of Walker, he shuffles into my penthouse with five girls on his heels.
“Hey, man,” Walker greets me. “Thanks for having us over. You know I can never pass up a meal from Robin.”
I nod my head. I shouldn’t be annoyed. This is par for the course with him. Shit, I used to be part of it. Why am I suddenly so annoyed by the behavior? He’s just a young bachelor, living it up in New York City.
There’s no way my sudden distaste for the single life has anything to do with Eva. I’m probably just aging out of this type of scene. It’s completely normal, and it has nothing to do with the bombshell woman who lives below me and lives rent-free in my head.
Speaking of, when I told her I invited the guys over tonight, she never told me what she was going to do instead. Part of me is irritated, like I have a right to know where she’s going.
What if she goes out with her friends and meets a guy? Will she flirt with him? What if he puts his hands on her? Will she stop it?
Before I continue down this self-destructive spiral of what-ifs, Colton, Lincoln, and Kylie walk in.
Colton waves and beelines it to the hors d’oeuvres, where the ladies are currently standing with a glass of champagne. I’m not sure what he wants more—the food or the women. I’m sure he’s happy he doesn’t even have to choose. He said he was coming straight from the hospital, so I’ll bet he needs the escape.
Working in the pediatric oncology department means he sees a lot of his patients take a turn for the worse and lose their battle with cancer. He’s become a different man since he settled on this career. I can’t imagine what seeing death so often can do to you.
Lincoln and Kylie stop at the bar with me. I lean over and give Kylie a hug.
“Nice to see you again, Kylie. Thanks for being willing to put up with us for the night.”
She chuckles in my arms, then steps back and looks at me with an easy smile. “Oh, please. Lincoln can’t go too long without seeing you guys. He goes through withdrawals.”
“I find that hard to believe since all he does is criticize our life choices when he’s with us,” I joke.
She looks up at Lincoln. “I think throwing insults is his love language for you guys.”
“All right, let’s not get carried away, saying things like I love these guys,” Lincoln responds. “Now, let’s make me a drink.”
Kylie walks over to the food while I hand Lincoln my whiskey sour and make a tray to bring over to the guys.
Lincoln and I join everyone else in the kitchen area, where the hors d’oeuvres, like bacon-wrapped shrimp and stuffed mushrooms, are displayed along the length of the island. There are several high-top tables set up along the window that overlooks the city.
I lean against the island while Lincoln and Kylie talk to Dean and Walker, laughing at something they said. I notice Kylie’s eating, but nobody got her a drink.
“Kylie, I’m so sorry. You don’t have a drink. What can I get you?”
She looks up at Lincoln, eyes wide, like she doesn’t quite know what to say.
Lincoln wraps an arm around Kylie’s waist and pulls her in close. “Well, we were going to wait a little while to tell you guys … but now seems like the appropriate time. Kylie’s pregnant!”
The room erupts in cheers and claps. Lincoln leans down and kisses Kylie, then smiles down at her like she’s all he can see. It’s a feeling I never understood, but I suddenly think of Eva. The thought is startling.
I push off the counter. “Congrats, you two.”
I wrap Kylie in a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Roman.”