Page 7 of Tangled Hearts

“Happy hour’s a blast, isn’t it?” I joke.

Natalie gives a light laugh. “We should call it ‘grievance hour’ because I have to confess that our Wednesday nights are really a time when we complain about everything bad in our lives, and when I say bad, I mean even the minor inconveniences like not having the right change for the toll.”

”That’s completely understandable. Not being able to whip the coins into the feeder and speed through can put me off the entire day.”

“You get it.”

I tip my glass toward her. “I’m all in for grievance hour.”

“But—“ Julie starts to say, but Luna has had enough. She jumps to her feet and pulls Julie with her.

“Bathroom break. We’ll be right back.” A flash of the enormous diamond and the two are gone.

Everyone seems to let out a sigh of relief.

“I think what you’re doing is cool,” Natalie says quietly. “I’m not brave enough to leave my law practice, so it’s awesome that you’re pursuing whatever it is you’re pursuing.”

”We all know that Julie’s issue isn’t with you but something else,” Frankie adds.

“It’s all good. How about you buy the table another round, Kaden?” I suggest. “I’ve got to save up for my electricity bill.”

Kaden starts to chuckle. “All right, boss, I’ll buy tonight.” He pulls out his black card. “You owe me, though.”

“I’ll pay you back when I take on my next case.”

“So never.”

I shrug. “Times are tough, and you can afford it.”

“I don’t mind paying.” Natalie reaches for her purse.

I realize my joke has gone too far. I lay a hand over her wrist. “No. It’s all good. I can manage a few rounds. I’ve even got enough for a few dinners. We’re just playing.”

“It’s the twenty-first century. Women pay for themselves. That’s why we have jobs.” She tugs at my grip, but I won’t let go.

“Don’t make me get on my knees and beg you. There’s only so much my poor man-ego can take.”

She hesitates, which is very sweet but also humiliating. It was one thing for Julie to think that I could not scrape two pennies together, but I don’t want this beautiful girl to think I couldn’t provide for her.

“I’m really doing okay,” I say quietly. “I never corrected Julie because it didn’t matter. We weren’t dating.”

“You went out to eat with her?” Natalie asks.

“Yeah.”

“That’s dating, Dylan.” She wrinkles her nose and leans around me so she can capture her friend’s eyes. “I’m ready to go home, Frankie.”

And after that, it’s not but two minutes, and it’s just Kaden and me at the table.

“That went well,” I say.

“About as good as my last play of the season. You suck as a wingman, Dylan.”

“Does this mean that you aren’t buying this round?”

I duck to avoid the napkin Kaden throws at my head, but it’s not for nothing he’s a pro quarterback.

Chapter Six

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