Page 16 of Rush

If Nora hadn’t been looking in Emerson’s direction, she would have missed seeing her sister-in-law’s lips purse as she eyed the women surrounding the men. Guess she’d struck a nerve.

“It doesn’t bother me as much as it used to,” Ivy supplied. “It helps knowing Colt loves me.”

Nora’s eyes landed back on Emerson when she nodded in agreement. “I sometimes still struggle with it because of what happened, but Ivy is right, it helps to know Oz only sees me.”

The guys finally made it over. Colt and Oz going straight to their women. The third guy stood next to Oz, which meant he was standing to the right of Nora.

“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?” Ivy asked after Colt leaned in for a kiss.

The guy—whom Nora didn’t know but assumed was Cooper—answered. “They wouldn’t shut up about you ladies being out at a club without them. I got tired of hearing thembitch about it instead of playing cards, so I dragged them over here to shut them up.”

“You don’t trust us?” A line formed between Emerson’s eyes as she directed that question at her husband.

Oz kissed the furrow. “I trust you.” Then his eyes narrowed as he glared at the room at large. “It’s the ass-grabbing hands around here I don’t trust.”

Emerson ducked her head to hide a small smile before saying, “You can relax, no one’s even approached us.”

“Maybe not us, but the same’s not true for Nora,” Ivy supplied, throwing her right under the bus.

Nora shot Ivy a dirty look but all that managed to do was make Ivy chuckle. She never realized sweet, quirky, happy-go-lucky Ivy had such a dark side.

Oz frowned. “Some guy tried to pick you up?”

“He only asked me to dance.” His chest inflated and she threw up a warding hand. “Relax, big bro, I turned him down.”

“Let’s find you guys some seats,” Emerson deflected and Nora never wanted to give someone a hug more.

It took a bit of scrounging, but stools were eventually found and during that time a server had stopped by to deliver a pitcher of beer to the table. “On the house,” she announced with a wink.

Nora gave the guy beside her a sidelong glance.

Catching her in the act, he smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Jay, by the way. Jay Cooper. Not sure these guys will ever get around to introducing me.”

“Nora Olson,” she said, reaching for his hand.

“Ah, the infamous sister. Oz can’t stop talking about you.”

“Well, I’m sorry about that.” Though not Linc handsome, Jay was very good looking. Especially when he smiled as he was now.

“Don’t be. It gives me a leg up.” A dimple appeared in his cheek as he grinned and Nora couldn’t help but smile back.

“Now I feel like I need to even the playing field.”

Jay threw out his hands. “I’m an open book. Ask me anything.”

“I’m assuming you’re on the team and that’s how you and Oz are friends.” Though it might sound stereotypical, the guy screamed football player—huge and all muscle.

“No. I’m actually a professional ballet dancer. I met Oz and some of the guys when I taught a class on better footwork.”

Eyes wide, she sputtered, “Seriously?” completely blown away.

“No. I’m just fucking with you. I play defense with Oz.”

She shook her head, grinning, not believing she fell for that. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you’re an excellent liar.”

He grimaced. “Guess that’s not the best way to make a good impression.”

“I’m flattered you’re trying to impress me.”

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