“I don’t give a fuck…” Connor’s gaze falls on my legs, and his eyebrows draw down. Bending at the waist, he turns on the flashlight on his phone and shines the light on my legs.
Dina bends to look as well. “Ekatia,” she says in a serious tone. “Why are there red marks on your thigh?”
I can tell from the way they’re looking at me that they’re bracing for the worst possible thing that can happen to a woman who went out on a date, then ended up leaving and climbing a mountain barefoot.
“It’s not what you think,” I say.
Dina exhales a breath. “Thank God.”
Connor watches me. His gaze is icy, devoid of personality or humanity. Only a minute ago, he held my baby and looked fairly pleased when he saw me here earlier than expected. It’s as if a switch has flipped. A pendulum that swings hard left and right, leaving no room in the middle where the rest of us spend most of our lives.
“I was sliding out of the booth, and Pete tried to stop me.”
Connor rubs the back of his neck. “Pete was supposed to drop you off here.” Connor shakes his head. “He should’ve dropped you off. How did you get up here?”
“I took a bus, then walked. One of your men picked me up and drove me the rest of the way.”
Connor looks at Dina. “I have something to do with Dec. Cover for me, will you?”
Dina nods, and Connor bolts into the house.
I look from Dina to the door, then back to Dina, who shrugs. “Unless you want to talk about the dress shopping we’re doing next weekend, it’s best we don’t talk about your date anymore. Connor will get your purse.”
“I have no doubt he will.”
“Let’s just hope he doesn’t also include Pete’s head.” Dina chews her lip.
I chew mine too, but probably for a different reason. “Dina?”
“Hm?”
“I’m working next weekend.”
Her shoulders slump. “But you worked this weekend. Isn’t it every other?”
“I pick up weekend shifts because you’re off and you can babysit.”
“Shoot.” She sips her wine. “The designer squeezed me in, and Declan is pushing for a fast wedding.” She smiles shyly. “He doesn’t want me to change my mind. Which I wouldn’t, but he’s very… He really wants to marry me.”
“Aw, Dina, the man loves you.” Declan crosses the living room and joins us on the patio. He’s wearing black slacks and a black button-up shirt.
He looks from me to Dina. “Am I interrupting something?”
“We were talking about you.” Dina slides her hand around his waist.
They’re facing me, so I can’t tell for sure, but I think she groped him. I’m sure her man has a fine behind, the kind with dimples on it. Connor’s ass looks fine in jeans, and they’re twins.
“I’ll be out of here soon. You can talk about me all you like.” Declan checks his watch. “Con’s late. The baby is here. Where is my brother?”
“Just stepped out to grab something for me,” Dina lies.
“Baby, we have staff for that.” Declan’s phone pings, and he reads the message. “Mmhm. I need to make a call.” He looks up. “By the way, your baby is great.”
“We love babies who aren’t ours,” Dina says.
“Agreed,” Declan says.
The front door slams, and Connor marches toward us.