Page 86 of Square Deal

Isaac

It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you and even longer since I’ve been inside you. Why are we doing this again? I’m dying.

I pursed my lips, hiding my smile, and texted him back.

Hannah Jane

We’re doing it the right way so we can really get to know each other. It’s hard to get to know you when all I want to do is get you naked every time I see you.

Isaac

And having mindblowing sex is the wrong way?

Hannah Jane

I miss you too.

Isaac

Hope you have a terrible day, Princess.

Hannah Jane

I hope your day is worse.

I sent a kissing face emoji with my last text. It would have to do considering he was all the way in England. My mind wandered, thinking about the photos he showed me of his London flat. I couldn’t wait to visit.

“What are you all smiley about?” Bridget asked as she slid a salt-rimmed glass my way. “You were acting hella weird at Maddie and Luca’s during Thanksgiving, and then you just up and left town.”

I plucked out the paper umbrella and downed half of the margarita in one gulp.Damn florists driving me to drink.“Just busy.”

“It’s your slow season.”

“Visited my folks after Thanksgiving. Wedding this weekend, and then I’m going to Texas next week to help Maddie and Luca with the restaurant opening. Then it’s Christmas and New Years, and a flood of emails from happy-brides-to-be with their shiny Christmas present engagement rings. And then the cycle starts all over again.”

“That’s the way life goes.” Bridget smirked.

“Can people please stop getting engaged over the fucking holidays?” I paused to sip my drink. “They all get engaged at once, and it makes scheduling impossible. Engagement season is worse than wedding season.”

“I’ll tell Kyle to propose midsummer,” Bridget said with a laugh.

I licked some of the salt off the rim and took another sip. “How are things between y’all? Before Thanksgiving, it sounded like you were going to break up with him.”

The bell above the door chimed, and Chase walked in with Layla—the woman he had knight-in-shining-armored from a handsy drunk.She was gorgeous.

Chase wore a Beaufort Police Department hoodie and a pair of jeans that had seen better days. Layla had on light blue scrubs andhad a badge reel clipped to her uniform, showing off her hospital ID. Her glossy black hair brushed halfway down her back. She gave Bridget a cheery wave, but Bee didn’t return the gesture.Awkward.

Bridget scrubbed the bar with her towel so hard I was sure it was going to disintegrate. “Kyle and I worked things out,” she mumbled. “Things are fine.”

I didn’t believe that for a second.

Chase wandered up to the bar, pressed his hands against the chipped oak, and grinned at Bridget. “Hey, darlin’.”

It didn’t matter that things had been awkward between the two of them since Layla came into the picture. Chase always had a soft spot for Bee. I wondered what things would be like when Bridget and Kyle actually got engaged. Maybe that would be the kick in the pants Chase needed to settle down.

I just hoped their friendship could survive it.

I hoped the poker club could survive it.

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