Page 8 of North

She assured me she had broken up with him but had not told anyone in the family because “it wasn’t all that serious to begin with.”

There’s a slight flush to her cheeks as if I’ve caught her in an embarrassing situation. “I am close to my family. So close they like to meddle and keep their expectations of me high. It was easier to keep them out of my love life if they thought I was currently occupied.”

I grin down at her. “Projecting an air of stability.”

Farren looks offended and pouts with irritation. “Why they don’t understand that a woman can be single and be happy is beyond me. Why they don’t understand I can be happy pouring drinks rather than studying in college is also beyond me.”

I hold up a hand in mock surrender. “Hey, don’t project your annoyance at me. I think bartending is a commendable job, and well… I guess it benefited me that you aren’t seeing Derek, right?”

Something dark flickers across her face before it smooths out and I’m rewarded with a dimpled, sexy smile. “It’s definitely been a nice benefit to have the freedom to dally with you.”

I know she means the words in jest, but they sum up the essence of this woman. She wants to be free and without commitment. What we have isn’t anything more than a fling. Just two people with a light fondness toward each other and a whole lot of sexual attraction.

I can’t help the twist of disappointment that comes with that realization. I’ve never been big on casual and meaningless, but that seems to be Farren’s state of existence, which is a problem I’m unlikely to solve. I only know that I like her and she’s so fucking intriguing, I’ll take what I can get.

“Speaking of freedom,” she says, her voice dropping slightly. “Want to meet up later? Your place?”

Her words hit me like a lightning strike, and I briefly consider grabbing her hand and dragging her out of Mario’s. But before I can respond, Rafferty’s voice cuts through the noise.

“Hey, you two!”

We both turn, Farren’s expression shifting intosomething placid and easygoing. Rafferty strides over, a grin splitting his face. His suit jacket is slung over his shoulder, his tie loose, and his hair slightly tousled.

“We kicked ass tonight,” he says, offering me a fist to bump before bending down to kiss Farren on the cheek. His eyes meet hers and he asks, “How did Tempe and the boys like the game?”

“They were over the moon,” she assures him, and I bite back a chuckle over the satisfaction on Raff’s face. That man is falling hard for the pretty grocery store clerk.

“Good to hear,” he says, holding up a finger to the bartender for a beer.

Rafferty glances between us, his grin widening. “So, let’s have a beer here but then head back to my place for some Xbox. Atlas already said he’s in.”

I hesitate, glancing at Farren. That invitation isn’t a complete shock. The single guys—which has been whittled down to me, Rafferty and Atlas—often hang out at Raff’s house because of his Xbox. It’s typical for us to go there after a beer or two here and we’ll stay up all night, especially since we don’t have anything hockey related tomorrow other than teammate Stone Dumelin’s wedding in the evening.

Farren’s expression is unreadable but even if she was wholly disappointed, I can’t decline the invitation. Rafferty would think something was wrong, and thenwhen his sister doesn’t come home tonight because she’s with me, he might start to put two and two together. And while I have no problem whatsoever in Rafferty finding out I’m interested in his sister, I don’t think he’d like that we’re just banging each other. He especially wouldn’t like the knowledge that’s all Farren wants and I’m just accommodating her.

Most importantly, we could never say anything because Farren wants to keep this on the sly. The mere fact that she never informed her family that she broke up with the man she was living with six months ago is telling.

“Yeah,” I say finally, beaming a smile at Rafferty. “That’s always a good time.”

“Great.” Rafferty grabs his beer, shoves money at the bartender and steps back from us. “I’m going to circulate. I’ll be ready to head out in about an hour.”

I lift my chin in acknowledgment and Rafferty spares a glance at Farren. “That okay with you? Leave in about an hour?”

I don’t think he automatically assumes she wants a ride, as she knows several of the players and their significant others and she’s hung out with them without her brother on prior visits.

As evidenced by the fact that twice we hooked up after Rafferty had gone home.

Farren nods. “Sounds great.”

The moment he’s out of earshot, she asks in a low murmur. “Rain check?”

I meet her gaze, torn between frustration and amusement. “Guess it’ll have to be.”

“I suppose you could wait for Rafferty and Atlas to get drunk and pass out and then sneak into my room,” she says playfully.

“Yeah… not about to take the risk of your brother finding out and killing me.”

“Party pooper.” She hums and then laughs huskily. “Have fun with your bromance.”

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