Page 73 of Love Lies Bleeding

Mac tips his beer back and then bobs his head in agreement. “It’s been one hell of a year. But if changing it meant I didn’t get them for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

I watch my best friend stroke his son’s downy soft hair and gaze at Lexi, who is fussing over something in the kitchen.

“So you think every decision we take leads us to where we are now and even the slightest deviation can change everything?”

“I do believe that.”

“Hmm.”

“I spoke to Dad about what we discussed.”

My body stiffens, my hand gripping the beer bottle tighter. “And?”

“He’s going to make some calls. Turns out he and the elder Mancini are somewhat friends. If you can call it that.”

“Really? I didn’t see that coming.”

“Me either. Apparently, they met when they were both young and starting their careers.”

Hank is such an enigma sometimes. He’s the ultimate family man, and his love and devotion to them is evident for anyone to witness. Yet he’s also the hardnosed businessman who puts the fear of God into his competitors. A more ferocious and calculating businessman I’ve never met. Yet he’s kind. The way he’d treated Lexi is further proof of that. Not that I, of all people, need it. Without Hank and Vivian, I don’t know what would have become of me.

“I should call him. I’m sure he’s disappointed in me.”

“He said you’d say that. He also said you should go to the house tomorrow for Sunday lunch, but he isn’t disappointed, just worried about you. Truth is, so am I, Jake.”

“Why?”

Mac turns to me and places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re so worried about letting people down that you make horrible decisions to try and protect them, and you always become the collateral damage.”

“Not true.”

“Yes, my friend, it is.”

Before I can retort, the buzzer announces a guest and I focus on the door where Lexi is ushering Cherry inside. She looks delicious in a pale pink playsuit, with a deep V-neckline and a lace see-through waistline that I know is going to torture me all night. Her hair is up in a messy ponytail, giving me a glimpse of her long elegant neck, which fits perfectly in my hand.

She must sense me watching because she glances up. I see surprise then pleasure wash over her face, which gives me a warm feeling in my chest. I stay silent as she greets Hunter with a hug and kiss, and leans in to drop a kiss on Theo’s head which is way too close to my best friend’s chest in my opinion. A growl of possession slips past my lips and I see Hunter try and smother a laugh.

As if lured by an invisible force, we met in the middle of the lounge as Hunter goes off to help his fiancée. Cherry nibbles on the gloss on her bottom lip and I fist my hands to keep from reaching for her.

“So, these were your big plans.”

“You didn’t really think I’d spend the day with you and then go out with another woman, did you?”

She does this cute little shoulder shimmy. “Maybe. It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”

“No,” I agreed, “but why would I go out with another woman when I’d spend the entire time thinking about you?”

A blush creeps over her cheeks and I want to stroke it with my finger, follow it as it travels over her skin and disappears into the V of her neckline. I bend my head closer to her, noting the pulse in her neck speeds up as I do.

“You consume me, Blossom. You always have and I have a feeling you always will.”

Before she can respond, Lexi calls us in for dinner. The table is a round, nook affair where they’d usually eat breakfast, but as it was only the four of us, Lexi had suggested this. There’s no artifice about Lexi and I like that. It suits my friend and the way he looks at her as the night wears on, almost makes me feel voyeuristic. Not in a creepy way, but like I’m a witness to a love that not many people got to enjoy.

Seated beside Cherry, I can smell her scent and make it my mission to revel in the accidental touches of our arms as we eat.

“So, the gala for Funding the Future is next week.”

I chew a piece of the perfectly cooked pork loin and nod at Lexi’s statement.

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