Page 61 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

Lance unbuttons his dress shirt sleeves and rolls them up to his elbows before grabbing a stick. “You okay with us being partners?”

“Sure.” I finish my beer in one go too, lifting the empty glass to Van for another.

I’m going to need it.

Twenty

Lance

I cannot believe I let Easton convince me to come here. And now he wants me to be Kenzie’s partner in a game of pool? Asshole.

“No. No. No.” Brinley walks over to Kenzie and puts her arm around her. “Girls…” She wags her finger between her and Kenzie. “Against boys.” Then she points at us.

“You’re gonna get your ass kicked,” Easton says smugly.

“Whatever. You’re not that good. My fiancé owns this bar, so I play a lot.”

Easton scoffs. “I have a feeling it’s Van’s balls you’re playing with more than the pool balls.”

I shake my head at Easton.

“Maybe, but I’m still a good pool player.” Brinley grins.

Easton makes his hand work like a puppet talking. “Keep talking, I’ve heard it all before. And I kicked your ass then too, just like I’m about to now.”

“Fine. Let’s make a wager,” Brinley says.

“Um, Brin, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I haven’t played pool in a really long time.” Kenzie tries to say it quietly, but she fails, and I can’t help but laugh.

Our eyes connect and it strikes me how unbelievable it is that all four of us are here together again. Even more than that, how happy it made me when Kenzie and Brinley hugged. I assumed Kenzie had friends from college or her time in the city, but I think we sometimes forget, because of our big family, that not everyone has so many people they can rely on.

“Should I call Blake and Geoff?” Kenzie asks.

“Sure. Are they good? We could split you two up, so you have a chance,” Easton says.

I nudge him. “Watch out, Kenzie’s angry red eyes are coming out.”

I’m a little terrified she’s going to pick up a ball and chuck it at him. He’d dodge it and it would land on the jukebox or some shit, then Van would be pissed.

“We’re a team.” Brinley stomps her foot. “Babe, I need a beer,” she shouts toward the bar.

“Kind of busy,” Van yells back.

Kenzie comes over to our side of the table. “These two have been like that all night. Is this normal?”

“It’s their love language,” I answer.

She laughs, holding up her stick and leaning on it as though it’s keeping her upright.

I study her for a beat. “How much have you guys had to drink?’

“I’m not a lightweight if that’s what you’re implying.”

“I’m not.” I raise both hands.

Kenzie shrugs. “We had some shots. Oh, Brinley, have Van make a round of those shots, they were yummy.”

Brinley puts her stick on the table. “Let me work my magic on my man.”

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