Page 67 of The Bachelor

“I thought you’d never ask. Double vodka on the rocks.”

“No mixer?”

I shook my head. “Tell them they can mix in more vodka.”

“I’m on it.” He squeezed my shoulder even tighter before he released me and walked away.

Unoccupied, my ears picked up on the conversation between Macon and Oaklyn. They were talking about his job, just some small-talk bullshit that I knew Macon hated, biding his time until he could get her naked and satisfying her need to know the man behind the one-night stand.

I knew his style.

Just like I knew he wasn’t listening to a fucking word she was saying. He didn’t care. He had no interest in learning about her. He just wanted to sleep with her.

If I turned in their direction, I would say something.

I’d call him out.

I would point my finger to the ground in front of me and tell Oaklyn to get her ass over here.

So, I went over to the other table where some of the guys were talking, and I wedged my way in between Jenner and Declan.

Jenner tossed his arm around my shoulders. “Glad you’re here, buddy. Wasn’t sure you were going to join us tonight. Macon said you might be too busy to come.”

I stole a glance at my best friend, who had known I was out with a girl—I just hadn’t told him it was Oaklyn. He was charming the shit out of her, smiling in that rich, enticing way, making her feel like she was the hottest girl in the room, that no one mattered in this world but her.

That shit needed to stop.

Now.

I faced Jenner and said, “The date ended early.”

“No reason to drag it out all night after you get what you want, am I right?”

I nodded. “Exactly.”

Except this motherfucker was as married as Dominick, and so was Ford, and, shit, Declan was really no different. Aside from the Spade brothers, I was surrounded by dudes who had been out of the game for a while.

I needed a subject change.

With my eyes getting a break, my brain needed one too.

“How was Hawaii?” I asked him. “Macon tells me you guys found land and you’re set to build.”

Jenner released me as he replied, “Wait until you see it. It’s fucking majestic. I’ve been to every one of the Spade Hotels, and it’s no secret that Utah is my favorite, but this property is going to be something else.”

“When are we going?”

He laughed. “Say the word, my friend, and we’ll take the jet.”

Damn, that sounded like a good time.

Something I wanted.

Needed.

But taking off for a weeklong vacation in paradise would only make me question what was happening back at home, just like I couldn’t stop wondering what was happening behind my back right now.

When I looked over my shoulder, my teeth ground together.

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