12

ALEX

Six hours.

It’s been six freaking hours since I walked out of Katherine’s apartment, and my body has vibrated with restlessness, unable to settle the entire time. I could barely focus during the meeting, and only part of that was my client’s fault.

Because of her.

Katie Bird.

“Nah, nah, nah. No way!” Kingston’s voice carries down the wide hall and bounces around the foyer.

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Way to move the puck!” Gabe claps his hands.

I shrug off my suit jacket, drawn to Katherine’s living room, eager to see her. Long dormant feelings bubble to the surface, reminding me of the first time I went to pick up a girl for a date. Confused, excited, trying to play it cool and failing miserably.

“Head in the game, Johnston!” Kingston shouts.

The apartment smells of tomato sauce and pepperoni. My mouth waters, and the stress of the afternoon starts to melt away.

Gabe and Kingston perch on Katherine’s couch, beer in hand. They look coiled tight, ready to launch into the air atany moment. Pizza boxes cover the monstrous coffee table and hockey commentators chatter on the TV, but I ignore all that as I glance around for her.

The woman who tied me up in neat little knots in just forty-eight hours.

Her apartment is gorgeous, cozy, neutral, with a tidy jungle of house plants, but she’s nowhere in sight. I drape my jacket over the back of the sofa, and Kingston gives me a chin thrust of hello. I return it with one of my own.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Gabe’s always checking in with me.

After all this time, there’s a part of him that still doesn’t believe we’re friends. It’s like he expects me to ghost him. That uncertainty is in direct opposition to how he lives his life. Out there, like he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him.

But with me, it doesn’t even matter that we live under the same roof these days. Or that we workout together every morning or hang out every chance we get. He’s still waiting for the shoe to drop.

Right now, he watches me with lifted brows, waiting for my answer.

I shrug. “Fine.”

His lips twist. I know he wants details, but there aren’t any I can offer. In the scheme of things, today was just one more meeting and not worth bringing home from the office. Gabe, however, is a talker. He’s never thrilled with my one-word answers; despite that, he offers me a beer rather than ask questions.

“Thanks.” I twist off the cap and lift the bottle to my lips, relishing the icy liquid. “Where’s Katherine?”

Kingston rocks forward, ass hovering above the seat cushion as he claps his hands. “Let’s go. That’s it. That’s it!” A half second later, he nods his head toward the door behind him. “Getting dressed.”

His attention never wavers from the TV, but he’s connected to her almost tangibly. There’s an awareness there that makes me pause. The man’s incredibly relaxed, even though he’s obviously into the hockey game.

My gaze darts between him and Gabe. They’re both a lot more chill than when I left. Kingston’s hair is damp, and he doesn’t have that sad puppy vibe about him, and Gabe isn’t agitated.

“Come grab a slice,” Kingston says, dropping back into his seat as he reaches for his plate.

He braces his elbows on his thighs.

Cocky.

That’s what’s different about him. About both of them. My spidey senses tingle as I watch them wolf down their pizza, shout at the TV, and give each other the side-eye.

Something’s going on. Between them? Or between them and Katherine?

Her voice carries through her bedroom door. I can’t understand exactly what she’s saying, but she doesn’t sound pleased. Kingston hits the mute button as the three of us turn toward her room and listen.