Page 33 of Making It Up

“Charlie,” I repeat.

He sighs and meets my eyes. “Yes, I knew the ladies would be here tonight,” he says, already knowing what I’m going to ask.

“You conspired with Carver and Kaelyn to get me here?”

“Conspired is kind of an ugly word,” Charlie says. “We just agreed to all come to the same place at the same time on the same day.”

“You’re trying to set me and Mia up,” I say.

“Not exactly. We’re helping a friend set you and Mia up,” Carver says.

I narrow my eyes at my brother. “You’re helping Kaelyn set me and Mia up?”

Carver and Charlie exchange a look again. “Well…”

“You guys.” I sigh.

“Does it matter?” Carver asks.

“Yes. I don’t want people to be disappointed when this doesn’t work out. I’ll talk to whoever it is.”

Carver and Charlie look at each other again. I sigh.

“You should definitely talk to this person,” Charlie says. “But, somewhere quiet. Private. So you don’t, you know, involve everyone in it. You know how this town can be.”

“Fine. Is it Kaelyn or Whitney?”

“It’s Mia.”

I look at my brother. His grin is huge.

“What?”

“It was Mia’s idea,” Charlie clarifies. “She wanted us all to meet down here so she had a chance to see you.”

I look over at the woman I’ve been unable to stop thinking about.

She is not looking at me. In fact, her back is to me.

Are these guys fucking with me?

Possible.

But then Sloan catches me looking and nudges Mia. Mia sits up straighter but doesn’t look over at me.

What is she doing? Why did she think this was a good idea? I told her we can’t see each other. She’s an intelligent, nice, respectable woman. How is she not taking ‘no’ for an answer? Who would have thought Mia Hansen would be persistent and stubborn? And so hot about it?

Well…me.

She wasn’t exactly cooperative the night of the tornado. At least at first.

But I suppose this is a loophole. We’re both just out at the Come Again. We’re hanging out with our friends. Scott can’t be upset if we run into each other in public places. He’s not unreasonable.

And if we talk or dance while here, that’s just something that happens at bars with live bands.

And if she has a few too many drinks and needs a ride home, I’m just doing a good thing. Something an officer of the law should do. And walking her to her door is just nice. And kissing her…

I blow out a breath. Yes, fuck, it’s kind of hot that she’s pursuing this. That she’s pursuing me. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a woman chase me.