Page 48 of Everlasting Love

“Well”—she holds up her fingers and points to the first one—“first up, he was keeping an eye out for your arrival and instead of letting you battle the crowd, he did it for you and I get the sense he’ll step into any battle for you.” She points to the second digit. “Number two. He could stand anywhere close by and have a clear view of the room for hisbodyguardduties, but he’s standing right behind you. Like he’s protecting you personally.” I scoff at that and she shakes her head with a grin. “I’m serious. He’s like a brick wall between you and everyoneelse.” She taps her third finger. “Thirdly, you just had to make a move like you were going to stand and he was so in tune with you that he noticed immediately and then went to sort out your drink. Seriously, the man is ticking all the boxes.”

When I glance at my sister, she’s nodding in agreement with Quinn. I’m not sure how she could even hear what was said over the music. “I agree. Shane usually stands at the side of the stage to keep an eye on the crowd, never at the table. He only does that when you’re with us.”

“What? Really?”

Cass nods her head. “Really,” she says, leaning in closer. “And he never leaves Toby’s side when we’re in situations like this. Tonight, he left it twice and both times were for you.” My sister winks at me, and Quinn nudges my arm with hers.

“See,” she says as she widens her eyes.

Well, maybe Idohave a chance. I breathe a sigh of relief because if Quinn could see all of that in a short amount of time, then I haven’t been making shit up in my mind which makes me feel better. And well … Cass has been not-so-subtly encouraging me to make a move for a while now.

Shane returns to the table with a second jug of iced water and a couple of glasses. “Here ya go, Blue. Mind pouring me a glass?”

“Of course.” I pour us both a glass of water and hold the jug up to Quinn who shakes her head in the negative. Cass’s glass is still full so I don’t offer her anymore. She must be driving tonight since I haven’t seen her drink a single glass of wine.

After several more songs, Toby finally finishes his set for the night and stands to loud applause and wolf whistles. “Thank you for coming out tonight. I hope you enjoyed my new material, which I’m hoping to take on tour soon.” I glance across to Cass but she’s too focused on her hunky husband to notice. I’ve never seen my sister so happy, she almost seems to be glowing. Toby drops into the empty seat next to Cass and leans across to land ascorching kiss on my sister’s lips. I turn away from them to look at Quinn, my heart aching for what they have. Quinn fans her face and winks at me, mouthinghotbefore bursting into giggles. God, I love her.

When Toby and Cass finally separate, Quinn and I congratulate Toby on his new songs, sharing which ones were our favorites.

“Thanks, ladies. Do you guys want to get outta here and grab a quiet nightcap? Cass and I found a great little coffee shop not far from here which is open late.”

I look at Quinn to check if she’s up for it because I already dragged her along with me. She might be ready to head home. “Sounds great. Let’s get away from the noisy crowd.”

While Toby packs his guitar into its case and chats to one of the managers, we stand and wait for him to return. I mentally prepare myself to fight my way back through the crowd but Shane guides us to the back area of the stage where there is another staircase leading upstairs to a door that opens outside. Thank goodness too, because I wasn’t looking forward to the crush of people after Toby’s performance.

When we breach the door, I inhale a deep breath of cool night air and shiver. I left my coat in the car in my excitement to see Shane …I meanmy sister.

Quinn doubles over in laughter. “Shit, I’m not even a rock star, and I felt like one the way we snuck out the back like that,” she gasps out in between her chuckles.

Toby huffs out a laugh and points over his shoulder with his thumb. “That was nothing, right, Shane?”

“Definitely one of the tamer evenings,” he agrees as he drapes his jacket over my shoulders without a word. His warmth surrounds me and his spicy scent fills my nose and it’s almost as good as being wrapped up in his arms. When I look up at him questioningly, he shrugs. “You shivered.” Like that explainseverything and to him, it’s as simple as that. Someone needed something, and he provided the best way he could.

I catch Quinn watching out of the corner of my eye and she shoots me a wink. “Okay, I’m ready to get my hot chocolate on. Where’s this coffee shop?”

“Follow us. It’s walking distance from here,” Cass says as she loops her arm through Toby’s.

They lead us out of the alley and past a cute French patisserie with white and yellow striped awnings over the large windows. I look up at the sign:Harry’s House of Crêpes and Croissants. It must be new, I don’t remember seeing this place here before. I admit it’s been a while since I’ve been toBrady’s. Mom loves crêpes, so I’ll have to bring her and Jas here for breakfast one weekend. We cross the street and sure enough, the lights of a coffee shop come into view a couple of blocks away. Shane moves away from me to talk to Toby about something and Quinn takes the opportunity to lean in close. “As I said, I approve.”

Before I can respond, she quickly scoots behind Toby and Cassia through the door Shane is holding open, leaving me to bring up the rear. Once I’m inside, I start to slide the jacket off my shoulders, but Shane’s there, sliding it back into place. “You keep it. I can grab it off you next time I see you.” He places his hand on my lower back and guides me toward the back of the coffee shop to the booth where the others are waiting for us. I slide into the booth next to Quinn and Shane pulls up a chair to sit on the end, angling himself so he can see the doorway. His eyes catalog the room and the few people occupying tables. It’s something he does whenever we’re out together.

Toby collects all of the menus before anyone can take a look. “This place has the best apple pie and homemade ice cream. It’s almost as good as my mom’s. Would you agree, Shane?”

“Definitely, this apple pie is probably the best I’ve tasted other than your mom’s.” He turns to me and Quinn. “I second the apple pie and ice cream.”

“Well, that suits me because I freaking love apple pie,” Quinn chirps.

“Hot chocolate all ’round?” Toby waits for us to respond and when we all agree, he taps the table and stands. Shane follows suit and they make their way to the counter to place our order.

Cass follows them with her eyes and I sigh internally as I watch Shane’s ass flex in his jeans.

“What was that sigh for?” Quinn’s question breaks me from my ogling.

“Huh, what?”

“You just sighed as you watched the guys walk away,” my best friend points out.

I guess I didn’t sigh internally after all. “Just admiring the work of art that is Shane’s ass.”

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