“In a minute.”
What I need is distance.From Blane.From stealing glances at Maddox like I did all throughout the meal.From anything that could be puzzled together if someone decides to look too closely.
So, I wander in late and pause inside the doorway.Every seat is taken.
Maddox is on the sofa, flanked by bodies and beer bottles.Blane leans against the far wall, drink in hand, already mid-monologue with Serena, who looks cornered.
I take him in for half a second before deliberately turning the other way.I’ve endured far too many insufferable conversations with him today.
Pop spots me first, and his face lights up.“Grace.”His hand pats the arm of his chair as he stands.“Here, take my seat.”
Eddie stands, too.“Sit.Please.”
A few of the others echo it, chairs shifting, bodies moving, and I shake my head, smiling.“I’m good.”
I lower myself to the floor, cross-legged, leaning back against the couch.Grounding.Safe.Even still, I’m aware of Maddox and every one of his glances and how each one sends a spark blazing up my spine.His hands.His mouth.The way his body fits mine, seamless and unnerving in how right it felt.
Nope, these are dangerous thoughts.I can’t do this to myself, so I tuck them away, fixing my gaze on the screen.
When the game ends, the guys talk poker, and within minutes, the chips are out, Oliver’s shuffling the cards, and the men drop into place around the table.
That’s when Meri announces she’s done for the night.Surprisingly—or maybe not—Blane follows suit.He was always terrible at any kind of game.
Pop stands next, claps Maddox on the shoulder, and says something about leftovers and bedtime.Wren, Zoe, and Serena echo the sentiment, and hugs and goodbyes are traded all around.
I linger near the edge of the room, watching the table come together, knowing I should leave but tempted to stay.I like poker.I’m good at it.That’s when my gaze snags on Maddox, who’s staring at me.
“Grace, join us.”He pats the empty chair beside him, a single easy tap of his palm against the back of it, but the sound cracks through me like a starter pistol.Heat blooms low in my stomach, and my pulse stutters with a hunger I have no business surrendering to while in a room full of people.
“Um, while I’d love to take everyone’s money, I’m going to bed.”
A few snorts and laughs ripple around the table, heads shaking as his grin widens.“I’d like to see you try.”
Eddie chuckles, the first real smile I’ve seen from him all evening, and it’s devastating in its ease.“I like you.”
Unable to stop myself, I flirt back.“The feeling is mutual.”
Tipping his head back, he laughs, and most of the men join him.
Maddox narrows his gaze on his best friend’s brother, more amused than annoyed.“Edward Winslow, nothing’s changed.You’ve still got that charm women can’t resist.”
Eddie grunts, and I laugh and shake my head, but then I stop at the way Maddox looks at me.The conversation has already drifted to poker, easy banter filling the space, and then it’s just the two of us.
The look he gives me might as well be a long, warm hug.
Quiet.
Comforting.
For me.
I shiver, an ache blooming in the center of my chest as I nod once, turn toward the stairs, and go to bed.
Chapter27
Grace
Iwait until the weekend passes, and during that time, I keep my distance from Maddox the best I can.There are moments where we find ourselves alone—the hallway outside the kitchen, the dining room after dinner when Blane and Meri are in the kitchen—and each time, we wordlessly drift toward each other before footsteps or voices pull us back.