Page 107 of Things We Hide from the Light

“He didn’t tell me he was. I have no idea why he’s here,” she insisted.

“The man spends so much time next door and around town I’m starting to doubt that he has an actual job,” Sloane complained.

“Next door?” I asked.

“Apparently Sloane and Lucian grew up next door to each other. Sloane bought her house from her parents when they moved, and Lucian kept his mom’s place,” Naomi explained.

“God knows why,” Sloane muttered.

“Maybe he’s here to have sex with you. Like some kind of dark sexy fairy granting dirty wishes,” I teased.

I noticed Knox didn’t bother greeting Lucian when he joined him. Looked like the pissed-off-ness was contagious.

“I’d rather go to the gynecologistandthe dentist on the same day,” Sloane said. “Besides, I have a date.”

“You have a date?” Naomi shouted the question loud enough that all the men turned and stared at us.

Lucian looked like he was about to set the world on fire with his dark smolder.

“Thanks, mega mouth,” Sloane muttered. “Yes. I have a date.”

“A date or a hookup?” I asked at normal volume.

Lucian’s hand closed into a fist, crushing his to-go cup and exploding coffee everywhere.

I grinned as he settled that dark and dangerous gaze on me.Oops, I mouthed smugly.

“Nothing to see here,” Naomi said, making shooing motions with her hands. At least that was what I think she was trying to do. It was hard to tell with her double-fisting beverages. “Go about your business, gentlemen.”

Knox shot his fiancée a wicked wink, then gave me a chilly look before turning his attention back to the field where the team was warming up.

“Uh, what’s up with the silent treatment and steely stares?” Sloane asked.

“You’re just trying to change the subject. Who are you hooking up with?”

Sloane looked over both shoulders and then gestured for us to lean closer. When we’d formed a vodka-breathed huddle, she cracked a smile. “I’ll give you a hint. He’s got a mustache and a badge.”

“You’re going out with Nolan? Nolan Graham? U.S. Marshal Nolan Graham?” I demanded.

“He’s really cute,” Naomi said.

“He’s a great guy,” I added.

“You two dated, right? Any red flags I need to know about before letting him go for the gold after the third date?” Sloane asked me.

“We had a very brief fling a few years back. He’s a genuinely nice guy and he’s a good dancer.”

“Maybe he’ll be my date to the wedding,” Sloane mused.

The men were staring at us again. Make that glaring. Lucian looked like he couldn’t decide if he hated me or Sloane more. Knox’s expression was best described as resting pissed face.

“Okay, I get that Sloane and Lucian have this hate fest going on, but what’s with you and Knox?” Naomi asked, frowning at her husband. “He didn’t say something mean and offensive to you, did he? He’s supposed to be trying to get better at that.”

I looked down at my drink. “As far as I know, everything is fine.”

“Oh, look. Here comes Nash. I thought he had to work.”

I nearly fell out of my chair and spilled my Bloody Mary whipping my head around.