Page 25 of Winning the Nightcap

Aiden: Okay, Bec may not have meant to tell me about the book club, but yeah. I know the types of books they’re reading.

Dom: What do you mean?

Aiden: Her audiobook may have started playing when she drove me home last night.

Dom: Holy shit…what did you hear?

Aiden: Let’s just say it was eye opening. I need to do a little more research.

Dom: Understood. Let me go find her book. I’m sure this goes without saying, but I’m going to need more details later.

Aiden: I’ll need a drink first.

Dom:Consider it done.

* * *

“Ow, oh shit, my side hurts,” Dom says, laughing his ass off. He slaps me on the back and flags down the waitress for a beer. “I can’t breathe, man. That is hilarious.”

I join him, letting out a reluctant laugh as I recall everything that happened in Bec’s car last weekend. Thankfully, Dom was able to meet me after work for a quick drink downtown before heading home to take over for Ellie with Luca.

I needed to tell someone about what happened, and not just the revelation about Bec’s books. I finally came clean and told Dom about how Bec and I initially met and how I still think about the possibilityof more between us. It was a relief to tell him. I asked him not to share with Ellie for now, since I’m pretty sure Bec hasn’t told her either. He didn’t love that, but he understood. He also said that if she’s pissed at him for not telling her, that he gets to throw me under the bus. Not sure Ellie will let him get away with that, but I agreed anyway.

“It really was…something. I’m nervous to see her this weekend for Hop’s training class. I can’t imagine she wants to see me.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it. Bec’s chill as fuck with a great sense of humor. She’ll shake it off. Besides, it kind of sounds like you two still have some kind of attraction going on. Why don’t you go for it and ask her out?”

“Bec already told me we should be friends. Don’t get me wrong, I was disappointed she didn’t want to talk about exploring anything more than that. She really is cool as hell.”

And hot as fuck.I immediately went to rub one out in the shower after Bec dropped me off at my place after Dom’s party. I thought of her the entire time, guilt-free since she said she’d be doing the same thing, but I’ll keep that part to myself.

“Huh, she didn’t mention that at the party when I mentioned trying to hook you two up,” Dom says.

“What’d she say about me?”

“Got it bad, huh? A little eager?” He looks down at his shoulder where I’ve gripped him roughly, turning him to me in demand of an answer. Okay, so maybe I got my hopes up a little. I release my hold on him and try to calm down.

“I don’t want to sound desperate, but I sort of can’t get her outta my head.”

“Could have guessed. Listen, I’ve known Bec for years. Her last relationship didn’t end on great terms, from what I know. If she feels something for you, she’ll probably keep that locked down and wait for you to make the first move. All she said at the party was that youseeing her covered in baby shit probably killed any shot at romance. I didn’t realize what had already happened between the two of you, or that you were still interested, otherwise I could have put in a good word for you. Sorry, man.”

Before I can respond, I get a call from Evie. When I answer, the urgency in her voice tells me everything I need to know. I’ll be making a trip to Detroit this weekend. I thought maybe we had more time to figure things out, but I guess not.

Chapter Seventeen

Bec

The Wedding

My mind is reeling. This is too complicated. My fun, carefree weekend just turned into me trying to sex up one of Dom’s best friends.

Ellie is my chosen family, my sister. After this weekend, Dom will be family too. I can’t risk my relationship with Ellie by having a casual fling with Aiden. He doesn’t live in Columbus, so I doubt we’ll run into each other often, but I’m sure we’ll see each other again eventually.

If we do hook up, will he expect me to want a relationship just because our friends are married? I don’t want commitment, especially long distance. I want fun and freedom with no strings attached. Anything serious between us would never last, and the inevitable fallout with someone this close to my friends is asking for a headache. Besides, a fucking pro baseball player, are you kidding me? No wonder his body felt rock solid.

There’s also a voice inside telling me to run because things with him feeltooperfect. Call me a realist, but there’s no way something that feels like this could last. Anything that burns this brightly, this quickly, will extinguish just as fast.

The wedding coordinator is a no-nonsense woman in a sharp suit. She calls for everyone’s attention and runs us through the logistics for the ceremony quickly.

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