Page 63 of Whatever You Want

Logan glanced over Gage’s shoulder. “Hey gorgeous.” His lips kicked up into a smile as the petite brunette set her drink down on a coaster. She ran her hands along her lavender dress as she walked around Gage to get to Logan. He scooped her up in a hug, practically lifting her off her feet. I had no idea who these people were, so I stood off to the side while they had their little reunion.

She pulled away from Logan and introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Lily and this is my husband, Gage.”

Gage winked in greeting. It was hard to miss the subtle gleam in his dark eyes. He was handsome and looked like the type that knew it too. “So, you’re the reason why my friend has fallen off the face of the earth.”

“Gage and I are old friends,” Logan explained, rubbing a hand along my lower back. “He’s also a jackass, so don’t pay him any attention.”

Lily walked over to lean into her husband’s side. He didn’t seem the least bit fazed by being called a jackass.

“And don’t forget asshole,” a third man said, strolling into the room with a beer in his hand.

“Do you talk to your students with that same mouth?” Logan teased, but there was obvious affection between the two.

“Not if I want to keep my job.” He looked at me. “I’m Luke by the way.”

Ah, Logan’s older brother. “I’m Ava. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” He raised his beer and grinned.

The two brothers had the same eyes and identical smiles. Except where Logan had facial hair and strong features, Luke was more clean-cut with a boy-next-door look. He wore a short-sleeved flannel shirt, skinny jeans, and a pair of Chuck Taylors. I liked Luke immediately, but the jury was still out on his friend.

Logan kissed my temple, and I tried not to squirm when I felt multiple sets of eyes on us.

After everyone grabbed a drink, Lily and I fell into easy conversation while Kelly and the guys told endless stories that had everyone laughing out loud. Every now and then, Logan would lean in and tell me not to listen to a word that came out of Gage’s mouth. I loved the camaraderie between this group and the feeling of being included.

I was enjoying myself and feeling completely relaxed when Logan wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me against him. “You doing okay?”

“I’m having a great time.” I took a sip of my wine and glanced at Gage. “It sounds like you two have been friends forever. Did you grow up together?”

“Gage lived across the street. We worked together until he moved to New York. He works for the NYPD now.”

Gage reclined back, stretching his long legs out. “I couldn’t wait to get out of Filth-adelphia, although we did have some fun times.” He smirked at Logan. “Do you remember when we got propositioned during our first drug raid?”

Kelly covered her ears and shot up from her seat. “I don’t want to hear this story. I’m going to check on dinner.”

As soon as Kelly left the room, Gage continued. “The girl was high out of her mind. She told Logan he looked good in a uniform and then said they could go in the back, do it missionary and forget the whole night ever happened.”

“What did you say?” Lily asked, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

“I told her I was pretty sure that wasn’t allowed on the job.”

“And then she turned to me and said, ‘how about you, handsome? We don’t even need to do it missionary. I can get on my knees right now and suck your dick.’”

Logan smirked behind his beer bottle. “One of my best memories.”

Gage leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Sometimes, I miss those badge bunnies and all the cop parties that never should have taken place.”

Lily smacked him on the arm. “I’ve been to some of those cop parties with my brother. Some of those ‘women’ barely looked old enough to work at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

His eyes narrowed. “Your brother had no business taking you to those parties.”

“You and I never would have met if he didn’t.”

He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her cheek. “That may be the only good thing Brad’s ever done for me.”

Lily looked at me and explained. “Gage and my brother hated each other.”

“We still do,” Gage offered up. He tried to make light of the situation, but I got the impression he couldn’t care less what Lily’s brother thought of him.

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