Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I picked up the cards James had dealt and frowned. Fuck, another bad hand. “Um, Christmas night.”
James shook my hand. “That’s great, Lucas. I’m really happy. There was always something about the two of you that screamed couple. I’m glad you both finally saw it.”
I laughed, then coughed.
“What’s so funny?” James asked.
Looking around the table, Shawn said, “You didn’t know? Hell, Hollie put a damn spell on Lucas so he would notice her, but it all went wrong, and she actually put a hex on him.”
James and Alex both looked at me.
“I didn’t know Hollie was into that,” Alex stated. “I need to let Mary know. She’s really been into crystals and shit lately. We’ve been trying to have a baby, and she’s doing everything she can think of. She even gets on her head after we have sex sometimes. It’s fucking weird, but I love her, so I get on my head next to her.”
I was positive we were all staring at Alex with confused looks. “Why in the hell are you getting on your head too?” Shawn asked.
Alex discarded two cards and picked up two new ones. “I don’t know. I feel bad she’s doing it, so I do it with her. I just want her to be happy, ya know?” Alex said with a shy grin. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to make her happy, and if that’s standing on my head, then so be it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. James nodded, and Shawn grunted in mock disgust. He could act like he wasn’t wanting a relationship all he wanted, but I had a feeling he was ready to settle down. And if my girlfriend had anything to say about it, it would be sooner rather than later.
“Fuck that. No woman is ever going to make me jump through hoops for them. Hell would freeze over before that happens,” Shawn said.
Glancing at the time, I was guessing it was either too early for the spell, or Hollie changed her mind. I was hoping it was the latter. The last thing any of us needed was a woman who just found out she had the power to play cupid with spells.
“You say that now, Shawn,” Alex said as he tossed in more money, “but someday, the right woman is going to come along and turn your world upside down.”
Something passed over my best friend’s face, and I decided to investigate Hollie’s claims.
“What about Kristin?” I asked.
Shawn’s head jerked up so fast, I thought for sure he was going to strain something from the movement. “Kristin?”
“Yeah.”
“Kristin who?” James asked.
“Kristin Mills,” I answered.
Alex laughed. “Kristin Mills? Damn, she was fucking hot in high school. James, didn’t you try to get into her pants a few times?”
I watched Shawn as he turned his attention on James, a look of anger moving over his face.
“Sure as shit did,” James said as he stared at his cards. “Tried my moves on her at a company holiday party.”
“You hit on Kristin?” Shawn asked, his voice sounding a little too angry. I raised a brow, but he ignored me.
Not hearing the threatening tone in Shawn’s voice, James nodded, then tossed in some money. “Yeah. Didn’t get anywhere with her, though.”
Shawn seemed to relax a little.
“One of the other lawyers I work with seemed to make a better impression on her, though. I think he said he’s taking her out to dinner tomorrow night.”
And that was when I saw it. Jealousy mixed with anger. He tried to hide it, but I had been watching him. Holy shit. Hollie was right. Shawn nearly crumbled the cards in his hand. He set them down and got up. “Beer?” he asked as he headed toward his kitchen.
“I’ll take one,” James and Alex both said.
Standing, I glanced down at the bowl of chips and another bowl of pretzels. I knew I should have eaten before I came over. “I’m going to see if he has any real food. Don’t look at my cards.”
The bastards both laughed as I got up and shot them each a dirty look.
I found Shawn standing with his hands on the counter, his head bent.
“Want to talk about it?” I asked.
He spun around and forced a smile. “Talk about what?”
“Why you’re in the kitchen trying to calm down.”
Leaning back onto the counter, he crossed his ankles and attempted to look casual. “I’m not doing that at all.”
“Really? Because I saw the way your face nearly turned to stone at the mention of someone taking Kristin out.”
He exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. “It’s just, the woman drives me fucking crazy, Lucas. She argues with me about everything. This whole engagement surprise thing you asked us to help you with… It’s her way or no way.”
“I can ask her to back off some.”
He shook his head. “No, no, don’t do that. Hollie is her best friend, and no one knows her any better besides you. Her ideas are good, and I know they’re coming from the heart.”