Page 47 of Wish You Were Mine

I waited out the rest of their game and joined in the next hand. Half an hour later, our shift ended, and Liam and I changed out of our uniforms and headed outside together. A brisk wind was blowing, and I shivered, wishing I’d packed a jacket when I’d left home this morning.

“You should come over to our place for a while,” Liam said as we walked to our vehicles. “Summer and Blair are practicing for Saturday.”

I frowned. “Practicing what?”

His eyebrows jumped up. “They’re performing together at Drunken Destiny. I thought you would have heard.”

“Nope.”

Perhaps that’s what they’d been discussing in the veterinary clinic parking lot the other day. I’d seen him with a drink and food, and then messing around with her phone, and my mind had instantly leapt to them dating. They were the same age, and much as I hated to admit it, Blair was a good looking guy.That said, he was even less stable and reliable than I was.

“Do you think there’s something happening between Blair and Summer?” I asked Liam, hoping he wouldn’t see how badly I wanted to hear a negative reply.

He shook his head. “I doubt it. They get on well, but there’s no chemistry there.” He dropped his voice. “Besides, I think Blair is interested in Zane.”

The knots in my gut loosened. I scowled, looking the other way so Liam wouldn’t notice. I hated how relieved I was that another man wouldn’t be sweeping Summer off her feet before I had a chance to decide whether I wanted to act on the attraction simmering between us.

“I’ll meet you at your place,” I told him, using the key fob to unlock my car. “See you again soon.”

We drove to his place, and as soon as I parked on the streetside, the soft notes of an acoustic guitar melody sounded from inside the house. I paused and listened, but no voices accompanied the music, and a moment later, it stopped.

I got out of the car, waited for Liam to join me, and together, we walked up the path and let ourselves inside. Warm air rushed out the open door, and Liam closed it quickly behind us.

“Kennedy must have lit the fire,” he said. “The heat pump doesn’t get that hot.”

“Great. It was too cold at the station.”

We found the others in the living area. Kennedy was reclined on a cushy chair, her feet up, while Blair and Summer sat at each end of the sofa. Both women were watching as Blair strummed the guitar.

“You’re too late for the main event,” Kennedy said. “Blair is just playing us some of their new music.”

My heart sank. I hadn’t realized how much I’d wanted to hear Summer sing, but I’d been anticipating it the whole way here and couldn’t help being disappointed.

“Won’t you give us a little sample?” I asked, sinking onto another chair and eyeballing the space between Summer and Blair. A good two feet separated them, which made me more inclined to believe Liam’s assessment of their relationship.

Summer’s lips quirked into a teasing smile. “You’ll just have to come and listen on Saturday.”

Satisfaction bubbled through me because that made it sound like she wanted me there. I kept my expression neutral though. The last thing I needed was for anyone to pay close attention to my behavior around Summer.

“I guess I can manage that.” It wasn’t as if there was anything else to do in Destiny Falls on a Saturday night. Usually, I’d be at Drunken Destiny anyway. Either that or at home on my cycle or cuddled with Cookie while we watched science fiction movies.

“You’d better.” Her gaze caressed me, and I fought the urge to shiver.

“So, Grace must be due soon.” I addressed the statement to Kennedy, in a bid to divert attention away from my exchange with Summer.

“She could go into labor any day now,” Kennedy replied. “She’s officially due next Wednesday, but you know babies aren’t always punctual.”

I nodded. My sister, Frannie, had given birth almost two weeks after their due date. If it had taken much longer, the doctors would have induced her.

“Do you know how she’s feeling about it?” Summer asked.

Kennedy smiled and rubbed her still-flat belly. “You know, I don’t actually think she’s nervous at all. Just excited to meet their little one.”

Summer laughed. “If anyone can stay serene throughout childbirth, it’s Grace. She’s so calm. I’m sure that’s the only reason she’s able to put up with Nate.”

“You might be onto something,” Liam said. “But let’s not tell him that.”

Kennedy rolled her eyes. “She adores Nate.”

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