Page 11 of A Little Luck
Now theGazetteis a true community staple, and I’m a small business owner. I couldn’t have done it without my mom’s help, and then Adam’s. He’s always treated Ryan like his son, almost like he adopted him that night in the hospital so long ago.
My eyes rise to meet his, and my heart melts a little more. I’m still a little broken and a lot guarded, but I’m working on it.
“I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to call it a night.” Alex stands, signing off on the check. “Let me know if you need to get into the distillery. I heard Britt say she’s passing the wedding planning on to you.”
Cass’s eyes go wide. “You’re not planning my wedding! You don’t even plan Ryan’s birthday parties!”
“Britt didn’t know that.” My nose wrinkles. “But we’re working out the details.”
“No.” Cass holds up a hand. “I’ll hire a professional planner. You are not getting stuck doing this on top of everything else you have going on.”
“Hang on, just wait a minute.” I catch her hand. “I didn’t say Icouldn’tdo it. I just said I’ll need some helpdoingit.”
What am I saying?Adam’s expression is somewhere between shock and amusement, but I turn away from him quickly.
Cass takes care of all of us all the time, and Britt would never forgive me if I let a stranger who doesn’t even know her come in and try to take over planning her wedding.
“I don’t want you in over your head.” We’re out the door, and my friend hugs me close. “It’s not worth it to me to be a burden to my friends.”
“You are never a burden. Your wedding is going to be amazing, and I’ll find a good helper. Maybe Mom can pitch in.”
Her brows crinkle. “Just as long as it’s not bomb-shelter-chic. That might work for little boys, but not weddings.”
“I would never do that to you. Don’t give it a second thought.” I squeeze her before Alex takes her hand, leading her to his waiting Tesla.
Adam catches my hand, pulling me in the opposite direction. “Come on, overachiever. I’ll walk you home, and we can discuss this.”
Turning to face him, with the full moon overhead and his blue eyes steady and confident, it feels as dangerous as pretending I can plan a wedding in a month.
But his hand holds mine, strong and warm, and I follow him the short distance down Main Street, past Gwen’s tarot studio, to my empty house.
CHAPTER2
ADAM
Piper’s place is only a few blocks from El Rio. Ryan is at my mom’s, and after three years of playing around, keeping things loose, tonight, I’m going to shoot my shot.
I’m guessing she knows, especially after bragging about how men are terrible at hiding their feelings. I’ve always been her friend. I’ve kissed her before, which she casually shut down with a joke about too much alcohol.
This time, I’m not letting it go at that.
I’m not the same guy who showed up in her hospital room all those years ago, fucked-up and useless, and I think we’re both ready for something real. I know I am, and if she still won’t let me in, then…
Who the fuck am I kidding? I’ll wait as long as it takes for Piper Jackson. Hell, I’ve already done as much up to now.
Still, the thought’s been growing in my mind like that damn fungus inThe Last of Us. Aiden gave me the push I needed, and like a killer wave or a risky flight, I have to see it through.
I was wrapping up my shift at the food bank when he texted me,
Aiden
Meet us at El Rio’s at nine. Karaoke.
I can honestly say, of all the messages I expected to get from my oldest brother,Meet me at karaoke nightwasn’t one of them. Especially, since I know Britt has been missing work lately because of morning sickness.
Herve is doing karaoke?
Herve Garcia is the owner of El Rio, and while he’s nice as hell, I don’t think of him as the kind of open-minded business owner who would close his modest restaurant for karaoke in a town the size of Eureka.