Page 21 of Josh Dalton

Zoey: “Does she still want you to model again?”

“Yes, no matter how many times I say no.” I don’t mention Mom trying to fix me up. Then I would have to tell them about Josh, and I’m not ready for that. I want to keep him a secret for now. I don’t know how Zoey is going to feel about me seeing one of her brothers-in-law, after she pointedly told us not to. “Now.” I slap the tabletop. “Enough about me. Tell me what I’ve missed.”

We spend the next forty minutes over dinner talking and laughing. What a good time. From there, we move next door to a bar. We vetoed the nightclub for a quiet place to finish up in. I’ve had my fill of clubs. Going to one improves my chances of running into Mom if she happens to be in town. She never seems to tire of the nightlife.

The waitress puts an apple martini in front of me. I love me a good apple martini. I can only have one, though. Maybe two. That’s it.

Elizabeth is telling a story about one of her security jobs. She always has good stories to tell. I’m laughing about a woman getting locked out of her place in only a towel because she couldn’t remember her code to get back in.

“That’s so you,” one of them says, and they all chuckle at me.

“Is not.”

Someone catches my eye from across the room. He seems familiar, but I can’t place him. I nudge Zoey. “Who is that?”

She looks over and frowns. “Dillon Dalton. I bet the rest of them are over there, too. Shouldn’t have told Ryder where we were going tonight.”

Damn, I bet Josh is with them. I wanted to keep our relationship low-key, but I don’t think that will happen.

The brothers rise out of their chairs in unison and come our way. All eyes are on them. It’s impossible for them not to be. They’re all hunks.

Josh’s gaze doesn’t leave me. It’s wishful thinking, but maybe he won’t say anything.

He grabs a chair and sits down beside me, kisses me on the lips.

“I’ve missed you,” he says out loud, and everybody gawks.

So much for keeping secrets.

Dang it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

JOSH

She isn’t happy with me, but I’m not willing to hide our relationship.

I like keeping my private life private most of the time, but with her I want everyone to know.

“No way,” Zoey says. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Ryder laughs, probably thinking it’s a joke. My other two idiot brothers sit there with stupid grins on their faces.

Kim hurls a glare at me and then answers Zoey, “We’re seeing each other. I wanted to keep it private. But ...” She blows air out between her lips and throws her hands up.

I reach over to kiss her, but she tilts her head away. “I just couldn’t keep it private anymore.”

“Hold up!” Zoey puts both hands on the table and locks her elbows. “Just wait a minute, now. How long has this been going on?”

“I met her at the engagement party,” I answer.

Zoey’s head swivels to Kim. “You didn’t tell us you were dating. One of Ryder’s brothers, no less. I told you about them.”

Ohhhh. She just had to add that last part, didn’t she? “What the hell is wrong with her dating me? You married my brother, so there must be some redeeming quality about us.”

Zoey doesn’t want us hooking up with her friends. She acts like we aren’t good enough. I really don’t care. No one is going to stop me from seeing Kim. We have an excellent thing going, and I won’t let her friends ruin it.

A loud whistle pierces the room. “Stop it!” Kim grabs my hand. Her touch instantly settles me. “I know you warned us against dating the brothers,” she says, “but I like him. He’s been good to me.”

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