Page 67 of Single All the Way

“Thanks, Ben. Hopefully you’ll have a new patient soon.” He moved on, searching for Ava, I suspected.

We’d been at the party for close to two hours, and it had only gotten more crowded. The football coach and his artist/business owner fiancée knew how to throw a good party.

I went out to the deck, where there were two heaters running, to get some fresh air. When I saw I had it to myself, I breathed a little more deeply and took in the view.

Max’s home was lakefront. The water was frozen around the edges, the docks all removed, boats put away for the season, giving it a lonesome but beautiful look.

I stood at the railing of the deck, soaking in the relative quiet, although I could still hear the din of the party, and wondered briefly how Berty was doing with the kids. Likely just fine, but the further into December we got, the more revved up they became. Emerson’s kids could hardly wait for Kizzy and her wife’s visit a few days before Christmas. Though the newlyweds were staying at the Marks Hotel, our household would definitely level up in chaos. I couldn’t wait.

Needing to lay my eyes on Emerson, I turned away from the lake, took a swallow of beer, and scanned the party through the windows. It didn’t take me long to spot her, talking to Anna, Ava, and Cash just off the kitchen. She laughed, and even though I couldn’t actually hear it, I could hear the sound of her in my head.

The door opened, and Chance and West ambled out to the deck.

“What are you doing out here by yourself?” Chance asked when he saw me.

West turned and followed where my gaze had been. “Creepin’ on his lady friend’s my guess.”

I laughed. “I’m not creeping on anyone, just getting some air. It’s louder than a full kennel of barking dogs in there.”

Chance turned to see Emerson as well and raised a brow as they came up to the railing next to me. “It is loud. A lot of people came out.”

“I’ll show up to any party Max throws if he does the food like tonight,” West said.

Max and Harper had it catered, probably by Henry’s Restaurant. I agreed with West’s assessment. “Did you try those sausage and cream cheese croissant things?”

“Try?” West scoffed. “I had a half dozen. And the maple caramel bacon things?” He made a noise of appreciation.

“I liked the little egg roll ones best,” Chance said.

We spent another few minutes discussing the top-notch food before Chance said, “So why are you out here staring in the window at Emerson instead of by her side?”

I’d been taking a drink and nearly spit it out at his bluntness. I covered my reaction with a laugh. “Why would I do that? We’re not a couple.”

“But you want to be,” Chance said.

I’d already told the guys as much, so I didn’t bother to deny it.

“You out of condoms yet?” West asked.

“You gave them to me a week ago. There were thirty-six. I’m no math teacher, but that’s something like five a day. I do work for ten hours a day.”

We all chuckled.

“You saidwere,” Chance said. “So how many are you down to?”

West cackled at that. “Good point, buddy.” He fist-bumped Chance. “Somebody’s having agoodweek.”

I drank another gulp of beer, neither confirming nor denying.

“Sounds like you two are a couple after all,” Chance said.

I shook my head, expelling a breath that came out as a white burst in the cool air. The heater in the middle of the deck didn’t reach this far. I turned toward the lake, and the other two followed suit, not getting the message that I didn’t want to discuss this.

“You going to let her get away?” West asked.

I scoffed. “You’re assuming it’s my choice. You know what they say about assuming.”

Chance hummed a sound of comprehension. “If it were up to you, you’d be all in,” he guessed.

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