Page 53 of Mister Cowboy
Smiling, she looked down at her dress. “It’s okay? I wasn’t sure what to wear.”
“You do need one more thing.”
“I do?” She ran her hands self-consciously over her body.
Pulling a red velvet box from his bag, he crossed the room and held it out in front of her. She stared at the box without taking it, her smile getting larger as she peered up at the man holding it.
“What is this for?” Her eyes were nearly even with his and he looked down at her tall shoes that accentuated every inch of her bare legs. Those shoes. He had plans for those shoes.
“For you to wear.” He opened the box, and a little gasp escaped her lips.
“Oh my God, Brecken. I can’t accept this.”
“Of course you can.”
“It’s beautiful.”
He lifted the necklace from the box and held it up to her neck. “Like you.”
“You know it isn’t garnet, right?”
“I thought you had quite enough garnet. This is a ruby.” He leaned closer. “My birthstone.”
Clasping it behind her neck, he admired the way it looked lying against her fair skin before she placed a hand over the stone. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
“Ready to go?”
She bit her bottom lip, looking uneasy. He hated that she was nervous. There was nothing to fear from their dinner dates for the night. They were as good of people as they came.
He and Martin had been friends since Brecken started the company. Admittedly, he’d made a lot of mistakes as he was getting started and needed a lot of legal council. Beyond being an excellent lawyer, Martin was sharp and business savvy. He also had good instincts, which was why Brecken wasn’t worried about introducing him and his wife to January. She was a solid decision any way you wanted to look at it.
29
January
Her hand reachedup to the giant ruby dangling around her neck for comfort as they entered the restaurant, which had recently been renovated into a Spanish-cuisine restaurant. She and Michael had stumbled into this very building after long nights of clubbing. Back then, it had been a pizza joint with arcade games and a giant disco ball in the middle of the dining rom. Somehow, the thought that this elegant restaurant streaming with well-dressed people once had been filled with pimply faced teenagers and drunken partygoers made January feel more at ease.
People chatted in groups around the bar and at their tables, deep in their own conversations, as she clutched to Brecken’s large hand and let him lead her through the restaurant. A short and stocky man with brown hair and hints of gray at his temple stood as Brecken approached the table. His smile was big and friendly, and he wrapped an arm around Brecken, pulling him into a hug.
“Brecken! It’s been too long.” He stepped back, and they shook hands as Brecken wrapped his free arm around her waist.
“Martin, I’d like you to meet January Lyle.”
She stuck her hand out to make the proper introduction, but Martin had other plans—using her hand to pull her in for a hug. “You are even more beautiful than he let on. It’s wonderful to meet you, dear.” Then he held an arm out to the woman sitting at the table. “This is my stunning wife Sylvie.”
Sylvie appeared closer to January’s age than her husband’s, but she stood and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, resting her hand on the top swell of her stomach. “Stunning, ha, if I get any larger, then I’m going to need two chairs to sit in.”
“Congratulations. When are you due?”
“Four weeks.” She sighed. “An eternity away.”
Brecken slid the chair in for her and took the seat beside her, falling into easy conversation with Martin.
Sylvie eyed them before leaning across the table to January. “What do you say you and I head to the bar. The service has been terrible, and I need a refill before my ankles swell to the size of balloons.”
She stood, and January looked to Brecken. He smiled and nodded, indicating his approval.
The bar was busy, but people made way for the pregnant lady, and soon Sylvie had secured them two seats at the bar, a water for herself, and the house red for January. She took a long sip of wine and smiled as Sylvie propped her elbow on the bar and leaned in. “If I’m honest, I really wanted to get you away from Brecken so I could ask about the two of you. I hope you don’t think I’m being too nosey. It’s just that he’s never brought anyone to dinner before.”
