Page 94 of Once Upon a Holidate
“It’s a guy thing, sweetie. You’re going to have to get used to it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Wynn wasn’t one to make a public statement, but living in a small town meant it was inevitable. Showing up to The Boardroom with Garrick would definitely get the word out—not that she minded. She liked Garrick and was happy to be seen with him. It was more just knowing that everyone would be looking at them and speculating.
She was not a “center of attention” kind of person. When she’d been dating Jasper, she’d asked that they keep things quiet the first year they were together. But once they’d shown up at The Boardroom together, everyone had known.
Given the fact that the regular Monday night tournaments would be suspended through the first of the year, The Boardroom was offering game night every night this week.
“Nervous?” Garrick asked as he pulled into the parking lot.
“Braced.”
He turned off the engine and smiled at her. “If it helps, you look beautiful and every guy in there is going to be jealous as hell.”
She laughed. “Most of the guys in there are happily married, so probably not, but you’re sweet to say that.”
“Just being honest.”
He got out of his SUV and came around to her side, then opened the door. When she was standing, he lightly kissed her, then took her hand.
“Best first date ever,” he told her.
“We still have hours to go. What if I turn out to be a dud?”
“Not possible.”
He was good, she thought, slipping her hand into his. Kind, funny, sexy, great in a bed and thoughtful. Oh, and really good-looking. There was no bad with Garrick—a thought that should have scared her and yet didn’t.
They walked inside and were greeted by people they knew. As they chatted, she looked around and spotted Bethany and Cade at a table. Bethany saw her and waved her over.
“We have an invitation,” Wynn told Garrick.
“And a serious chance of winning tonight’s game,” he said with a grin. “They won’t last the first round.”
“I assume you’re talking about them wanting to get home to their daughter and not their lack of skills at—” She glanced at the board games stacked on the bar. “Trivial Pursuit.”
“I was. Something tells me Bethany will be great at Trivial Pursuit. I’m guessing her knowledge of world history and geography is better than mine.”
“Not good with the rivers?” she asked, her voice teasing.
“The rivers get me every time.”
They joined their friends. Bethany shot Wynn a “we’ll talk about this later” look before waving over the server in the area.
“We’ve already ordered.” Bethany grinned. “One of the thrills of wrapping up my breastfeeding is I get to have alcoholagain. Yay me, especially with them serving all those delicious holiday drinks.”
Cade shook his head. “Honey, you don’t even finish a glass of wine.”
“I know, but I could if I wanted.”
Wynn and Garrick placed their drink orders.
“Should we take bets on how long you’ll last?” Garrick asked with a grin.
“We’re staying for the whole first round,” Cade announced firmly. “Maybe.”
“Who’s home with Addison?” Wynn asked.
