Page 20 of The Night Ride
Heading up the walkway, the guys followed me inside.Their boots were heavy against the golden pine hardwood floors.
“Your place is nice, Beth.You’ve done well for yourself.Your brother would be proud of you,” Wyatt said as they followed me into the kitchen.
“I usually cook dinner, but it’s been a long damn day.How do you guys feel about pizza and beer for dinner?”
“Like you have to ask.”Lucas teased.“That’s the kind of dinner we live for.”
“Yeah, but that’s because you always like to eat.”I joked.I’d known these guys for years.
“Guilty.It’s how I keep my boyish figure.”He gestured at his body, which was just as muscular as Aiden and Wyatt.These guys were in top physical form.
“I assume y’all want yours loaded or meat lovers?”
I had the app open on my phone.I figured three extra larges, mainly because I’d seen them eat and knew they could pack away food with the best of them.
“Always choose the meat lovers,” Lucas said with a wink.The guy was a charmer.But he’d always felt like a brother to me.
“I like mine loaded.But we should buy you dinner for housing us tonight,” Wyatt said.The guy was always calm and the most responsible out of the bunch.
I waved him away.“Don’t worry about it.And you?”I glanced at Aiden, hardly believing he stood in my kitchen.
“I’ll eat some of both.”He shrugged.“I’m not too picky when it comes to pizza toppings.Pizza is pizza.”
“Fair enough.”I added my pizza with roasted red peppers, goat cheese, prosciutto and arugula.Then added two orders of hot wings and garlic cheesy bread to round out the meal.
“Good.Ordered.It should be here in about thirty minutes.One of you will need to take the couch in the living room.And I’ll show you the two spare bedrooms.You guys can fight over or draw straws for who gets to use them.Whatever floats your boat.”
“It’s a great place,” Lucas said as they followed me on the short tour.It was a ranch style home with all the bedrooms located off a hallway to the right of the front door.My room was one all the way in the back.
“Thanks, I like it.Here’s the first guest bedroom.”This spare bedroom held my old queen bed and dresser set.“I know it’s a bit girly.”Okay it was a lot girly considering the sheets and bedding were lavender.
“Nah, it’s not too bad.It’s a good room,” Lucas nodded, like the soft feminine colors didn’t bother him.
“I think so.”It was a guest room that had yet to be used.But it wasn’t like I received that many visitors with my dwindling family.What friends I made in culinary school were off in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Miami, and the like, working their way up the kitchen food chain.
“This one serves as my office, but there is a pullout bed that’s pretty comfy.I’ll grab some extra sheets and pillows.And then someone will need to bunk on the couch in the living room.I’ll get the couch made up for one of you too.The bathroom you can use is there across the hall.The last door is my bedroom.”
“We really appreciate you putting us up for the night,” Wyatt murmured, taking it all in.
“Well, why don’t we grab some beers while we wait for dinner, and you can tell me what mission my knucklehead brother sent you on while we wait for the pizza.”
Back in the kitchen I snagged bottles of Guinness and distributed them.Aiden’s brows rose when he spied the brand.But he accepted one of the beers without question.
“You’re into dark beers?When did you get so cool?”Lucas asked and took a swig.
“I’ve always been cool.You’re just noticing it now.”My bravado was an act.Because inside, I was still the shy wallflower.
Aiden remained silent.But his gaze assessed everything.And I do mean everything.From the kitchen gadgets stored on the ivory granite countertops to the magnets on my fridge.I bet if I quizzed him, he’d be able to recall everything without qualm.
“Touché.”Lucas clinked his Guinness against mine.“But it’s a surprising choice.”
“I like it.And it’s a great addition in stews, soups, roasts, and all sorts of recipes,” I shrugged uncomfortable with all the male attention.Even at twenty-six, it wasn’t something I was used to at all.
“Let’s cut to the chase guys, because it’s been a long—” The doorbell interrupted me.I set my beer on the counter and said, “Give me a second.”
Aiden was at the door before I reached it.“You might need some help with the boxes.”
I wanted to tell him I was strong and could handle it.But the less I said to Aiden the better.It wouldn’t end well.When I looked at him, all I saw was another man who had let me down.
