Love After All
Page 31

 Jaci Burton

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“Sure. That’s exactly what I meant,” Sam said.
Chelsea was pretty sure that wasn’t at all what she meant. “I get it. He’s not exactly the right person to go finding the perfect guy for me. But he says he knows a lot of men. And not just through the bar. At this point I’m interested in meeting men I haven’t dated before. So if Bash can come up with suitable candidates, then I’m all for it.”
Again that look between Sam and Megan.
She huffed out a sigh. “What?”
“Nothing,” Megan said. “Anyway, I saw you talking to Jeff. How did that go?”
“Oh, it went great. He’s so nice, but you know he’s really busy. He’s spearheading the opening of the new urgent care clinic on the east side of town, so he was telling me about it.”
“I heard about the new clinic,” Sam said. “Which means he’ll be even busier. So, any sparks fly between you and Dr. Jeff?”
“Unfortunately, no. I think I’m going to have to cross him off my list.”
“What list?”
They looked up to see the gorgeous bride leaning against the bedroom doorway.
Chelsea couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed seeing Des standing there looking so elegant with her hair swept up and wearing that gown. Wow, that gown. “You look so beautiful. Are you having a good time, Mrs. McCormack?”
Des grinned. “I sure like hearing that name. And yes, I am. Now, what list?”
“Chelsea’s perfect-guy list,” Megan said.
“Oh, right.” Des came in and took a seat in one of the chairs next to the door. “God, my feet hurt and it feels so good to sit down for like five minutes. I’m going to hide out here for just a few.”
“Want me to close the door?” Sam asked.
Des laughed. “No, I’m fine just sitting for a few. So anyway, back to your list. How’s that going?”
Chelsea filled her in on what they’d been talking about. Des cocked a brow and shared a look with Megan and Sam.
“Interesting.”
She sure would like to know what they all found so interesting. It was like they were telling a joke and she didn’t get the punch line.
“So no Dr. Jeff.” Des leaned forward. “Hey, I have an idea. Let’s go sit you down next to Logan’s brother Reid, who is quite the stud and meets all your criteria.”
Chelsea thought about Reid for a moment. She knew him—vaguely, from his infrequent trips to town. “This is true. Except he lives in Boston.”
Des waved her hand. “A minor drawback. Besides, you’re unattached, and so is he. If nothing else, you get someone to dance with tonight.”
Chelsea looked at her friends. “All right.”
Des took her hand and led her back to the barn. The party was still going strong. And why wouldn’t it be? The chandeliers were lit in such a romantic way, music was playing, and Chelsea had a feeling no one was leaving early tonight.
She tried to catch sight of Bash, though for what reason she had no idea. Who cared where he was, anyway? Probably drinking with his buddies somewhere.
Or in the middle of the group of guys—Logan, Luke, Carter, Reid, Will, Colt, and Tony—that Des dragged her to, along with Samantha and Megan.
The men were all gathered around a table, drinking beer and talking.
“You’re not all going to break out a poker game, are you?” Des asked. “Because if you are, I’m totally in.”
They all stood and Logan came around the table, slipped his arm around his wife, and kissed her. “Not a chance. Not tonight, anyway.”
“Too bad,” Des said. “Poker sounds fun.”
“What are you all doing?” Logan asked.
“Just hanging out with the girls.”
Logan pulled a chair out for Des, and the guys made room for the rest of them.
“Where are Molly, Jane, and Emma?” Chelsea asked.
Luke motioned with his head. “On the dance floor.”
Chelsea searched the dance floor and finally located the three of them, barefoot and jumping up and down to a popular hip-hop song.
She grinned. “Awesome.”
“Reid, I had just started telling the girls about your last job in Boston.”
Which she had not, but Des could start and hold a conversation better than anyone.
“Is that right?” Reid arched a brow.
“Yes. But I didn’t really get that far into it, so why don’t you explain it to them?”
“I renovated a historic building in Boston. It was actually the first historical renovation I’ve done.”
“You’re an architect, right?” Chelsea asked.
He nodded. “Yes. Mainly new buildings, so this was a new venture for me. To mix the old with the new.”
He started describing the work he’d done, giving her a chance to study him. Reid—who was incredibly good-looking in the oh-my-God-they’re-gorgeous McCormack way, was tall. After seeing him at the wedding earlier, standing beside his brothers, she thought it was a wonder it had taken all the McCormacks this long to get married. Though Reid was still single, and since he hadn’t brought anyone to the wedding, she assumed he was unattached as well.
His dark hair was cut short, and he had the same bluish-green eyes as Luke. He was a bit leaner than Luke, though, and not quite as tall as Logan. Still, he looked striking in his tux, especially with the tie undone and the shirt unbuttoned at the neck. She could imagine him as quite the lady-killer.