The Best Kind of Trouble
Page 27

With a sigh, she brushed the front of her clothes and applied lipstick. She hoped it was the right tone. She should have asked. She looked toward the phone. Maybe she could call.
No.
If this was any other guy, she’d just trust her sense of style and go for it and that’s what she’d do, damn it.
She grabbed her bag, the flowers she’d picked up on the way home and headed for the door. She could do this like a grown-up.
* * *
SHE KNOCKED ON his door, and he opened up with a smile. “Damn, Nat, you sure look pretty tonight.” He kissed her cheek so as not to smear her lipstick. “And you smell really good, too.”
He had on jeans but a button-down shirt. Nothing overly dressy by any means, but he’d rolled up the sleeves to expose his forearms. And they were really hot forearms.
“Can I get your bag from the car? We’ll walk over to their house if you don’t mind. It’s a nice night, and it means we can have a few and not worry about driving.”
“I can be a designated driver if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t drink much. I have an occasional glass of champagne because it’s the best thing ever, but I don’t plan to drink tonight.”
He looked her over carefully but said nothing else for a moment.
“My bag is in the trunk, and I have flowers for Mary.”
He grinned as she popped the trunk open. “It’s a nice night so I vote we walk, anyway. You stay right here and I’ll get your stuff.” He dashed to her car and grabbed everything before returning. “I’m going to run this up to my room.” He held up the bag and handed her the flowers. “These are pretty. She’ll like them.”
She waited in his entry while he took her things up.
“So are you okay if I drink? I mean...are you in recovery or something? It shouldn’t be crazy or anything. Ezra will be there, and he doesn’t drink. He doesn’t care if other people do, but if you do, that’s okay.”
“Am I making you nervous?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. He played off being silly but she saw a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes, and she reminded herself to be careful with him.
“I just want you to be comfortable. I want to make you happy.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what to say to that. It’s very sweet, but an awfully big job really only I can do. Thank you. I’m okay. I just don’t get to oh, no, can’t drive point. It’s not what I do. You can drink. Other people can drink. I drink sometimes. I’m not in recovery, and now I’m ready to walk over to dinner.”
He put an arm around her and shut his front door. “Let’s go, then, gorgeous.”
* * *
TURNED OUT DAMIEN only lived about a three-minute walk from Paddy’s house. His was more Northwest-styled than the modern elegance of Paddy’s place. Music filtered from the house as did lights. She heard laughter as Paddy opened up and hollered that they were there.
A beautiful woman with pretty, dark curly hair came around a corner holding a bowl, which she shoved at the hottie who was obviously her husband. Natalie remembered Damien. With a face like that, it would have been impossible to have forgotten him.
The woman came forward with a smile, and Natalie could have sworn she’d seen her before. “Welcome. I’m Mary, Paddy’s sister-in-law. I’ve seen you around the library, but we’ve not met formally.”
Natalie handed the flowers over. “That’s why I recognize you! Thank you so much for inviting me. I’m Natalie. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh, these are so pretty! Thank you.” Mary linked her arm with Natalie’s and drew her through the house.
“The farmer’s market was closing up when I finished with work. I grabbed these and some lemon curd while I was on my way home.”
“I was just there earlier today! Wanted some cider and some honeycomb.” As they entered a large, open kitchen/living area, the people there turned to see who’d come in.
“Everyone, this is Natalie, though I suppose you all might remember her from before.” Mary looked to Natalie. “Paddy told us all you two knew each other from before they went to Los Angeles to make that first label album. Were they totally adorable then?”
“God, yes, totally adorable in that way they have. They were always getting in fights. With each other and with the patrons of the bar. The girls loved them, though.”
One of them laughed; she couldn’t remember but she thought it was Vaughan, the youngest. “You cut your hair. I like it. Vaughan, the most handsome and talented of the brothers. It’s nice to see you again.” He waved from his place at the table. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Sure, what do you have?”
* * *
PADDY BREATHED EASIER when she simply tossed herself into the mix. Vaughan flirted with her, and she batted him away. Paddy kissed Mary’s cheek as she put the flowers in a vase and headed to where Vaughan was pouring a soda for Natalie.
“Back off. This one’s taken.”
“If you change your mind, I’m younger as well as more handsome and talented.” Vaughan winked.
She sipped her soda as Ezra said hello and Damien reintroduced himself. His brothers were being goofballs to make her feel comfortable, and she got it. And he loved that she got it.
There was a lot of food and a lot of trash talk, too, over dinner at Damien and Mary’s big huge dining room table.