Page 11 of Harry

“Really?” Ava said as she moved toward where Wild was introducing himself to Rory.

Harry followed close behind her, knowing they were all going to embarrass the hell out of him today. He could take it. He would stand by the statement that Rory was only his friend. They didn’t need the aggravation of going to the brass and begging for special permission to date. They weren’t at that stage yet, and who knew if they were going to get there. They might decide that there wasn’t anything between them other than their love for running. He doubted it because even now, just seeing her set something off inside.

He made it to Rory when Ava was introducing herself, and sure enough, Ava was going to make him pay.

“I’m Ava, Wild’s wife. Harry is a doll, but he has told us nothing about you. When did you meet him?”

She shrugged, which Rory took as a silent apology as Ava took her arm and dragged her over to meet Jessica and Ingrid. He should have given Wild and the guys a heads-up, but he didn’t know exactly how to handle this since they weren’t dating, and he didn’t want to make a big deal over this.

“So, who is the woman?” Andy asked.

“She’s just a friend,” Harry said as he rejoined the guys.

“Really. And that’s why you told us nothing about her before she showed up,” Peach said.

Peach was young but very astute. He met Peach’s gaze as he tried to hold it together. There was an urge to yell at them and tell them that, yes, they were just friends, but that would probably tell them all they needed to know about his growing feelings for Rory. He had to play this cool.

“We’ve gone on a few runs together. That’s it. And we’ve eaten breakfast after those runs.”

“Interesting,” Bear said. “I find that very interesting. What’s so wrong that you haven’t taken her to bed?”

Harry sucked in a breath as Rory looked his way. Had she heard Bear? God, he hoped not.

“Behave,” Harry said under his breath. “She’s a nice person, and we really are just friends.”

“Not for long,” Jax tossed over his shoulder as he headed over to meet Rory.

He had no doubt that the guys were seeing through his lies. It was painfully obvious to the guys who knew him so well that he wanted Rory. Maybe he could hide the desire from others, but with his team, they saw the truth. He just hoped the truth wouldn’t cause problems because he really wanted to have something with Rory.

Chapter 7

Rory had no idea meeting Harry’s friends and their wives would be so intense. She’d told Ava and the other two women that she’d met Harry at a store, and they’d gone for a bite to eat. She’d had to say twice that they really were just friends and felt like if she said it a third time, it would be obvious that she was interested in more.

“So you two have been running together?” Ingrid asked.

“We’ve only gone twice. We just like each other’s company.”

“I liked Bear’s company so much I married him,” Ingrid laughed.

Rory had no idea how to respond and was thankful she didn’t have to. Harry and his buddies were right there, and she was glad they were interrupting the conversation.

“So you’re Rory, who Harry hasn’t talked at all about, and I’m Wild,” the man who’d come out to her car introduced himself. “I’m married to Ava, and the two girls in pink are mine. Emma and Lila.

“I’m Bear, and this is Ingrid,” the big guy hugged his woman from behind. “Our two kids are playing with the girls in pink. Their names are Mia and Ethan.”

“I’m Andy, and I’m currently unattached.”

“I’m Jax and with Jessica.”

“And I’m Peach.” A very young guy came up to her. He looked like a model with his nearly perfect skin. He took her hand and bent to kiss it.

“Watch it,” Harry said.

Peach brushed his lips over her knuckles and then raised one eyebrow at Harry. “What? You said you two were just friends. I’m just being a nice guy.”

“Doubtful,” Harry said. “Watch out for him. He may be the best-looking one of us, but he just wants to play the field.”

“I’m good at field sports,” Peach said as he thumped Harry on his back. “Speaking of playing. Did anyone bring a soccer ball?”

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