Page 17

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

carter

“Whose house is this?” Arden asks hesitantly, peering up at the enormous mountain-home that belongs on the front page of a magazine. Despite there being no mountains in the vicinity, this house looks like it belongs in the richest neighbourhood in Colorado.

Gray stone and black accents. Black framed, floor-to-ceiling windows.

A door that an army could fit through with ease.

The back of the house is even nicer. Balconies on the top two levels and an insane deck on the bottom that is perfect for entertaining large parties.

In my opinion, the real star of the show is the middle balcony off of the living room, where we usually hang out.

Their place overlooks some water, which I know Sweets is all obsessed with. But it was the property that won them over. Lots of space. Lots of room for mutts. Lots of privacy. The dream, really.

“Declan and Penny’s.”

Arden whirls toward me, pretty brown eyes full of fire. “You didn’t tell me we were coming here! ”

Can we get over this already? I want to forget that she almost jumped into the sack with my best friend as much as she does. Trust me.

“Relax, you didn’t fuck him,” I say, putting the vehicle in park.

I glance over at her. She’s clearly uncomfortable.

She’s glaring at me now, and I really gotta remember not to be so blunt with the whole Lowesy thing if I want this girl to like me.

That’s twice now with horrible results. “And even if you did, that’s ancient history. He doesn’t care. She won’t either.”

“Of course, she will.”

“She won’t,” I promise, because I know her. Sweets isn’t going to give a shit about what Declan did or didn’t do before they got together. She’s possessive as hell over him, but she’s not unreasonable. Just in love.

“It’s still weird.”

“Get over it. I’m delivering you a friend on a silver platter right now, and she’s a great one.” I’m being a bit harsh, but honest. Arden wants friends who aren’t coworkers? The girl in this house is one of the best, and she’s got a family of dogs that Arden can cuddle with.

“I don’t need new friends,” she murmurs, but undoes her seatbelt anyway. “And I’m here for canine therapy. That’s it.”

I ponder that statement. Everyone needs friends, don’t they?

I know she has those two chicks she’s always with at the bar, but I don’t know how big her circle actually is.

I like my circle big, crowded, and full of people.

The more the merrier. I want a fucking school full of friends.

That way, there is always somebody to talk to and someone to do something fun with. I love that shit.

Arden might be the exact opposite of me in that regard, and I don’t know if that bodes well for me.

We walk up the wide driveway, and Arden takes in everything from the lawn, the three-car garage, to the array of decor Penny organized on the front step. She’s got these stylish black chairs by the door and a side table shaped like—get this, a mug of coffee.

I knock twice, but push open the door without waiting for them to answer.

I already pre-warned Dec on the way here.

Pre-begged, I should say. He complained for two paragraphs about how he just wanted to eat food and nap on a rare Saturday off, but caved when I promised this would be humiliating for me.

I’m about to lay it on thick for a few hours. He can hold this against me for years. It’s a win-win.

“Mom! Dad! You home?” I call out as I kick off my shoes.

“Dear god,” Declan grumbles.

We walk up the steps that lead deeper into the house, but both of them are already halfway through their kitchen, coming to meet us.

I guide Arden into the room until I feel her hesitating.

Sweets is right at the edge of their kitchen island, wearing a blue, matching sweat suit.

She doesn’t bother looking at me for longer than it takes to give me a smile, because this is what Penny does.

She’s good at it, too. She makes sure new women always feel welcomed when they’re brought around her.

“Hi. I’m Penny.”

Arden dips her chin, her eyes fixating on Sweets.

I think she’s piecing it together. This was the chick Declan was freaking out about that night, and now they’re here.

In this big house. Happy. In love. I can see the gears turning.

She’s worried she might have been part of the ‘during’ Penny and Declan stage, rather than the ‘before’.

“Hey, Arden. Nice to see you. Drink?” Declan comes in, nice and easy. He flashes her that stupid, dreamy, dimpled smile, and Arden relaxes a bit at my side.

I shoot Declan a look. She doesn’t relax around me like that.

He has to chill with his stupid face and his stupid inability not to flirt with pretty women.

I mean, I’m not one to talk, but this woman in particular.

Okay, he didn’t even flirt. He just said hello, but with dimples like that, it’s pretty much involuntary flirting.

He’s never allowed to smile at her again.

I have decided. I’m calling Lemmy to get her to pass it into law.

Declan shoots me a confused look, like I’m being ridiculous. Yeah, probably, but if Arden is going to eventually pretend to be my girlfriend, she’s going to have to be able to act like she prefers me.

“I’m okay,” Arden says quietly.

Penny raises a brow at me, but I just shrug as inconspicuously as I can. It’s clear this wasn’t Arden’s idea, and it’s beyond apparent that she doesn’t really want to be here. I’m drowning, and I’m drowning fast. Sweets, who is watching me carefully, is my last chance at a life raft.

So, she does the saving.

“White, red, or water?”

Arden shifts on her feet.

Declan pulls out two beers from the fridge.

“Or coffee. I’m always down for coffee,” Penny continues with a little shrug.

There’s a pause, but then Arden answers in a quiet, little voice. “Red, please.”

“Of course,” I say under my breath, stifling a laugh. A glass of red for Red.

Arden glares at me for that one.

“A girl after my own heart.” Penny smiles, glancing over her shoulder. “Grab that new merlot for her, Dec?”

“On it.”

“You like red, too?” I cock a brow, because no, she doesn’t. I’ve been around this girl a lot over the past couple of years and have never seen her willingly drink or order a glass of red wine .

She looks at me briefly, like my comments can stay to myself. “I’ll drink it if it’s open, but my best friend’s preference is red. Every white wine girl needs a red wine girl, Carter. Keep up.”

I shake my head, breathing a laugh. Girl math, I guess.

Declan rolls his eyes as he uncorks the bottle.

“So,” Penny says, leaning against the edge of the island.

She crosses her arms in front of her casually, keeping her face nice and warm in contrast to the cold and uncertain bundle of a woman beside me.

“I hear you like dogs. I also like dogs. Big fan. I kind of have a problem. I’ve been collecting them like Pokémon. ”

Arden perks up a bit. “How many?”

“Three right now, but I have my eye on a fourth.”

“No fourth!” Declan hollers, pulling down the long-stemmed wine glasses.

Penny expertly ignores him. He said no second and no third, too. He’s convinced he’ll never love a new one the way he loves the rest, even though he does all the same every time. She just sort of brings them home, he falls in love, and the cycle repeats.

“They’re out back. Want to meet them? We can have our wine out there. We were thinking about ordering some wings and pizza if you guys would like to stay.”

I risk a glance at Arden. It isn’t up to me. I would love beer, wings, pizza, and more time spent wearing this chick down until she likes me enough to want to help me. She offers a polite smile when Declan hands her the full glass of red wine.

“Yes to the dogs. Yes to the pizza, but only if you let me buy.”

Penny looks personally offended. She shoots Arden a look of warning. “If you pull out a single dollar, you’re leaving here in a body bag. We’re hosting, we’re paying. You’re eating. Those are the rules.”

Arden glances up at me, almost uncertain.

I do what feels right. I slide my hand between her shoulder blades and lean into her a bit. I try to be quiet enough so only she can hear me, but I know that Penny is going to listen to every single word.

“I tried hiding a hundred-dollar bill behind the fruit bowl once and it showed up mailed to my house the next week with a glitter bomb. Don’t do it. It’s a declaration of war.”

Arden actually laughs. It’s the kind of laugh that makes me stop breathing for a second. She opens her mouth, flashing those perfect white teeth, and tilts her head back. It’s a sound I will spend every waking moment trying to get her to make again.

Damn, she’s hotter than I remembered.

“Fine, fine,” Arden says, taking a sip of her wine. She’s relaxing a bit now. Penny has that impact on the girls around here. “Though I admire your style, Penny.”

“She’s not mentally well,” Declan murmurs over the lip of his beer.

“Maybe that’s why I’m with him,” Penny says instantly, the jab so easily rolling off her tongue that Arden does that laugh again and I want to kiss Penny’s face for making her smile like that.

Penny nods toward the balcony, knowing all about Arden and Declan’s almost-moment and not caring. “Now, come and meet the kids.”

I watch her guide Arden out back. I slowly start to follow, but stop once I meet Declan at the island. When I am finally able to tear my eyes from her, he’s already watching me. There’s a small, teasing grin on his mouth and a knowing look in his eye.

Idiot .

“Shut up.”

“I haven’t said a word,” he says.

“Your face did.”

“My face is as handsome and charming as always.”

I roll my eyes. I’m the handsome and charming one. He needs to find a new title.

“You’re the worst. Anyone ever tell you that?”

“And you’re a dumbass. She’s never going to go for this, no matter how many dogs you throw at her.”

“Then you don’t understand the power of my charm,” I say with a smile. I bring my beer to my mouth and take a huge, greedy gulp in preparation for the battle I’m about to walk into. “I’m hoping your wife and the three stooges will convince her I’m not the devil incarnate. I’ll do the rest.”

They aren’t married or engaged, but I call her his wife all the time to remind him that they should be.

“My wife will kill you if she hears you refer to our kids as ‘the three stooges’ again.”

I stare at him. I’m used to that crazy talk from Penny, but hearing Declan talk about the pooches like they’re actually blood relatives is a little weird, even for my tastes.

“They’re dogs.”

“Yeah, well, I’m convinced she actually thinks she gave birth to them, so just tread lightly.” Declan smacks me on the shoulder, nudging me toward the door.

When the pizza is nearly gone, and Declan and I have devoured all the wings, Arden and Penny are on their second bottle of wine.

Penny has been making Arden laugh all night, and sometimes, Declan and I just stop and watch them.

It’s an instant kind of connection that brings a bit of light back into both of their eyes.

Ever notice that about women? There’s a special kind of love they have for each other. An understanding. They bring so much out in one another that doesn’t happen in relationships between men. Not like this.

Even if she doesn’t agree to this whole arrangement, I think it’d be good for her to keep coming around.

Sweets is one of the good ones. A rare one.

Maybe it’s a Canadian thing, just being a good person.

Lowesy is the same. Boss, too. Sweets is a bit of a menace, but she’s kind, she’s loyal, and she’s saving my ass right now without even knowing it.

“Another beer?” Dec asks, standing and smacking me on the shoulder.

I glance over at the girls. “That depends. Do you want to get going, Red? I’m still good to drive.”

She wets her lip with her tongue, that smile dwindling a bit. Her eyes linger on me for a second, like she’s trying to figure out what happens if we stay. How she’d get home. How long we’d be here. What that means about the ‘us’ that doesn’t exist.

That’s enough for me. That’s a clear sign we should go.

“Do you want to stay?” she asks carefully.

I shrug, ignoring Declan, who is lingering between me and the door. “I’m good either way.”

“What time is it?” she asks, glancing around the patio for her phone. That little rat with the scraggly hair is sound asleep on her lap, so she refuses to go too far to find it.

I peek at my watch. “Eleven-thirty.”

She winces a bit. “Yeah, we should. I work in the morning.”

“All good.” I flash her a smile and move to stand. She runs her hand over the little dog’s fur, looking tormented that she’ll have to disturb her. I turn and hold my hand out to Declan, smacking my palm into his and giving him a quick hug. “Thanks for having us. Always a good time.”

“Thanks for the company,” he says, eyes flickering behind me.

“Oh, just move her. She’ll go right back to bed,” Penny says quietly.

I glance over my shoulder and sure enough, the little one cuddles into the pillow on the couch and falls right back asleep. The balcony is enclosed. They spent a shit ton of money to do that so they could have the dogs out here without any chance of an accident.

Penny wraps her blanket tighter around herself, eyes sliding to mine. “It was nice to meet you, Arden. I hope I’ll be seeing more of you?”

She says it like a question.

The life raft has been thrown by Mrs. (should be, anyway) Lowes herself.

“Yeah. We’ll see,” Arden murmurs with a tight smile.

She awkwardly shifts on her feet as if debating going for a hug, but then just nods and scurries over to me. She tucks herself into my side a bit, which sends my ego to the moon.

Good. We’re getting more comfortable with each other.

“Thank you. I had fun. I needed some puppy therapy,” she says, looking up at Declan.

“Ah,” he says with a shrug. His eyes meet mine, and with a smirk, he smacks a hand on my shoulder and shakes me. “Anytime.”