Page 24 of The Stud Next Door (Frisky Business 3)
“Well, I guess it’s just—”
But before I can finish, the front door to the apartment bangs open, followed by a chorus of hoots and hollers. My eyes grow wide and I stare at Maren, shock and worry all over my face, but she just smiles and rolls her eyes.
“The boys must be here. They can get a little . . . rowdy when they’re all together. It’ll pass after the first, like, twenty minutes, though,” she says, clearly noticing that the worry on my face didn’t fade away. It sounds like a freaking rugby game is being played in Scarlett’s front hallway.
Drinks in hand, we walk back out into the living room to find that the rest of the “get-together” has arrived. And now that everyone is all in one place, we might as well call this what it is—a housewarming party. Scarlett’s having a party, a small impromptu one, sure, but a party nonetheless. Meanwhile, it’s taking all my self-control not to melt in Connor’s presence, even with the rest of the crew here.
Maren is quick to close the distance between herself and Hayes, and he lifts her into his arms and plants a sweet kiss on her mouth.
One day, I hope to be so in love that I can make out in front of a room full of people without caring that everyone else can see. It would be sweet if it didn’t happen every time they see each other. I can only imagine what their reunions are like when it’s just the two of them. That’s love for you, I guess.
Connor makes his way across the room to me, and my pulse quickens with every step closer he takes. “Hey,” he says when he reaches my side.
His wrist almost brushes mine, we’re standing so close. I have to keep myself from trembling.
“Hey,” I say back.
He looks at me apologetically. “I didn’t really say hi to you before.”
“That’s okay,” I say with a smile and a shrug. “It’s good to see you. How’s Marley?”
I’ve never sounded so stiff, so polite around him before. But I’m not exactly sure where we stand after the last time we saw each other. Besides, we’re with his friends now, and they’re quickly becoming my friends too. So, whatever’s happening between Connor and me can take a back seat to hanging out with the crew.
“With her mom,” he says. “Marley misses you, I think.”
I freeze. Or maybe whatever’s happening between Connor and me will be the only thing I think about all night.
Is he actually talking about his baby, who barely recognizes human faces yet? Or is this some kind of code for the fact that he misses me? But that can’t be right, can it?
Does Connor miss me? Is he trying to tell me something?
Feeling his gaze on me, I take a sip of my wine, grateful for the cool bite of the liquid going down my throat.
Penelope appears from the kitchen, a sullen-looking Wolfie in tow. “Connor,” she says quickly, rushing toward us. “How’s my niece? Please tell me you have pictures.”
Connor nods. “What kind of dad would I be if I didn’t? Hey, Wolf, did you grab one of the IPAs from the fridge?”
Wolfie grunts and jerks his chin. Apparently, that means yes, because Connor and Penelope turn back to Connor’s phone, leaving me to smile awkwardly at Wolfie. He’s so big . . . and so quiet, sort of like a big teddy bear. I’m really not sure what to make of him.
“So,” I say, clasping my hands in front of my waist. “How’s life?”
Wolfie grimaces slightly.
I’ve been told he hates small talk more than the rest of the guys, but I can’t help it. What am I supposed to do, stand here in awkward silence and wait for Connor and Penelope to be done gushing about the baby? I’m not about to interrupt their sibling time. I’m trying to make a good impression here, after all.
“It’s good,” Wolfie says and takes a long pull from his beer bottle.
Thankfully, Connor and Penelope resurface from the phone quickly, and the three of us start chatting easily.
Penelope and Wolfie are quite the odd couple, that’s for sure, but it’s hard not to be taken with Penelope’s kindness. She’s just one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. It’s easy to see how she and Connor are related, especially with the two of them standing right next to each other. They have the same bone structure, the same easy smiles. And Penelope’s sharp, like her brother. She may be young, but that doesn’t mean she’s one to underestimate.
“Please tell me my brother’s not taking advantage of you,” she says with a playful arch to her brow.
“I . . . what?” I look between Penelope and Connor. Did he say something to her? Are they really that close of siblings? But Connor looks as panic stricken as I feel.
