Page 19 of Rulebreaker

I absently stir the concoction in the punch bowl.

“I’m sure he is. I just don’t think the time is right. Besides, he could have stopped me and he didn’t, so I think I made the right decision. For both of us.”

There’s no time to discuss anything else because a delivery arrives with what looks like a million pink and blue balloons. Briar instructs the guys how to attach them to the arch and we put out a plethora of baby-themed paper plates, napkins and silverware, all in shades of turquoise, sage, and rose gold.

“We have twenty minutes before people are going to start arriving,” Briar calls out. “I need you boys to finish with the balloons and someone needs to keep watch for when Banks and Aspen arrive.”

“I’ll do it.” Atlas meets my gaze and gives me a brief nod. “Hello, Lily. Nice to, uh, nice to… uh, nice seeing you.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and I watch him go with an amused grin.

“You must’ve done a number on him,” Jade whispers.

“Believe me–he did a number on me too,” I whisper back.

We dissolve into laughter.

“Hey, no smutty talk without us!” Briar yells, following us out to the patio.

“What do you know about smut?” Dash asks, arching a brow. “At the rate you’re going, you’re a spinster in the making.”

“Oh, you hush.” Willow playfully shushes him.

“Fuck all the way off,” Briar calls out, lifting her middle finger in response.

“What?” he asks. “As far as Iknow, you haven’t had a boyfriend since Frankie was born, you spend all your time with your brother, his friends, or your kid, and you don’t date—I’m pretty sure that’s the definition of a spinster.”

“I am in no way, shape, or form beyond the prime age for marriage,” Briar replies. “I’m only twenty-six. I think I have at least a few more years left before you guys need to put me out to pasture.”

“She’s younger than I am,” Willow stage whispers to Dash.

“But you’ve had boyfriends,” he says. “All she does is work.”

“Her boss is a ball buster too,” Jade says with a laugh.

“For your information,” Briar says, hands on her hips and a strange look on her face. “I have a date… this coming Thursday.”

Everyone pauses, and Dash’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline.

“You do?” Dash looks like he can’t quite wrap his head around that information.

“With who?” Jade asks in confusion.

“With West.”

“West?!” Dash’s mouth falls open. “West McGregor?”

“West from the Vipers?” Royal asks at the same time.

“Banks’ teammate West?” Willow’s face breaks into a huge smile. “That’s awesome! He’s hot!”

“Hey!” Dash gives her a dirty look.

“You’re hotter, honey,” she soothes, moving into his arms. “But he’s a cutie!”

“You’re shittin’ me,” Royal says, staring at Briar like he’s seeing her for the first time.

I don’t understand why everyone is so shocked. Briar is gorgeous and smart and would be a great catch for any guy lucky enough to get her attention.

“Why is this such a big deal?” I ask after a moment. “She’sintelligent, beautiful, and successful. Why wouldn’t a cute hockey player ask her out?”