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She switched gears, motioning to the house. “So, when do you think this place will be open for business? You are planning on turning it into an inn or something, aren’t you?”
Foster eased back, taking another long drink. “That’s what my parents wanted. I’m just focusing on finishing to start. See what feels right later.”
She nodded, admiring the old-world craftsmanship and how the new renovations blended perfectly with the antique charm. “It looks fantastic. It seems you gents have more than one skill. Do you all live nearby?”
Chase chuckled. “We actually live on the property. It was the first thing Foster did once we arrived. He handed us each a deed from his lawyer where he’d had the estate subdivided, giving everyone a couple of acres.” Chase tipped his beer bottle toward Foster. “Way more than we ever expected, and we’re extremely thankful.”
“Luckily, there were already structures on each section.” Zain nodded at Chase. “A guest house on Chase’s lot. A giant ass workshop turned into another home on mine and Kash got the old barn that had been partially renovated. We finished it up, first, before turning our sights on Foster’s mansion.”
Foster snorted. “It’s not a mansion. It’s just got a few more rooms.”
“Would you prefer manor house? Stately residence maybe?”
“You’re such an ass.”
Zain batted his eyelids at Foster as he blew him a kiss. “I know.”
Foster rolled his eyes, drawing his attention back to her and it made the room feel suddenly hot. All that blue-green gaze focused on her. As if everyone else had disappeared. “Are you staying at your dad’s for a while?”
She snorted, nearly spitting some of her beer across the table. “God, no. I love my father, but he’s impossible to live with. I’m renting one of those refurbished cabins farther up the road. They aren’t as nice as this but they’re clean.”
“And about as far away from Atticus as you can get.”
“There’s that, too. I’m hoping it will dissuade him from dropping by.”
Kash laughed. “I wouldn’t count on it. He’s been making weekly trips out here in the hopes of browbeating Foster…”
Kash’s voice trailed into a grunt before he glared at Chase. His buddy frowned, nodding at Foster and her. Kash rolled his head to the side then gave her a small smile as he sprang to his feet. “Anyone else need another beer?”
Foster chuckled. “Forgive, Kash. He does better with four-legged company.”
“I heard that, you bastard.”
“See?”
Kash returned, pointing at his cards as he flopped in the chair. “Did Foster mess with my stuff while I was in the kitchen?”
Foster groaned. “Why would I mess with your crap?”
“For the same reason you’ve been moving our shit around then denying it.”
“Hand to god, Kash, I didn’t touch your freaking mug that day.”
“Right. Just like you didn’t rub bacon on my jeans last week so Nyx wouldn’t stop sniffing my ass.”
Foster chuckled, shrugging at her as they fell into a comfortable conversation, recounting a few harrowing tales as they teased each other. More like a group of brothers than friends. Foster moved them into the other room, offering her a cozy winged-back chair as the rest of them spread out, nursing their beers as they joked. Chase was talking about some insane rescue when a hand closed over her arm, jerking her awake. Mac blinked a few times, groaning when she realized she’d fallen asleep.
Foster removed his hand, looking as if he wasn’t sure if it was him or the fact he’d touched her that had made her jump. “You’re exhausted.”
She shifted forward, bracing her elbows on her knees as she speared her fingers through her hair. “How long was I out?”
“About fifteen minutes. I would have let you sleep but there’s no way you could spend the night in that chair and actually move tomorrow.” He curled his fingers at her. “Come on. You can stay here tonight.”
She could stay there? With him?
Mac stumbled to her feet, emitting an embarrassing high-pitched screech when her foot caught on the area rug and she reeled backwards. Foster lunged forward, catching her around the waist and drawing her against his chest before she fell on her ass. Or worse… Cracked her head on the coffee table off to her right.
Mackenzie closed her eyes, willing the floor to open up and swallow her as his buddies darted across the room, their footsteps echoing through the house. She gathered what was left of her pride then eased back, smiling like a fool as he let his arms fall to his sides. “And that’s definitely my cue to leave. Before I completely embarrass myself.”