&n
bsp; “What’s the big deal? It’s just Tate.” Harper turned to face Wren once more, only to find her friend wasn’t paying her any mind. She was too busy staring at the handsome firefighter as he made his way to the counter to place his order.
“He acts like he’s God’s gift to women,” Wren all but sneered.
Well, Tate Warren was extremely handsome. And he knew it too, with that perfect smile he was always flashing at innocent women and the way he drew attention whenever he was in his uniform, considering he filled it out oh-so-finely. Harper was of the quiet assumption that Tate wore it more often than was necessary just so he could make women drool.
And they were drooling right now. Well, except for Harper. She was too busy saving her drool for a certain someone who was related to her best friend, who she’d bet a million bucks also filled out his uniform oh-so-finely.
Wren? She was glaring at Tate like she wanted to rip his head off. Or his clothes.
Huh.
“What’s your deal?” Harper asked, leaning across the table so Tate wouldn’t overhear them. “You look like you want to gouge his eyes out.”
“That wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Wren grimaced. “He’s a jerk.”
“He’s been nothing but nice to me,” Harper defended. “I like him.”
“Right, because you were protected in your cozy little relationship. Wait until Tate finds out you’re single. He’ll try and make a move on you, I’m sure,” Wren said bitterly.
“Wait a minute.” Harper frowned. “Did he try to do that to you?”
Wren blinked. “Do what?”
“Make a move on you?” And if so, why hadn’t Wren gone for it? Tate was gorgeous. And nice. And hot. Close in age. Oh and single, a rarity in Wildwood.
“Wren Gallagher.”
They both glanced up to find Tate standing right next to their table, smiling down at them, his hands on his hips. Harper leaned back in her chair, smiling at him in return, but all Wren managed was a glower.
Yikes.
“Harper.” Tate nodded, his green eyes twinkling. Oh, he was pretty. Why hadn’t she ever noticed it before? Had she been so focused on making it work with Roger that she hadn’t noticed the other good-looking men in her life? “Good morning.”
Harper parted her lips, ready to wish him a good morning as well when her best friend interrupted her.
“Why are you in your uniform?” Wren asked, rolling her eyes. “Trying to turn on the ladies?”
“Considering you’re the only one I want to turn on and yet you’re immune to my charms, Gallagher, that would be a no.” He turned his attention to Harper. “I just got off work. Thought I’d grab a coffee and a doughnut, then go crash for a few hours.”
“Tough shift?” Harper asked politely. She’d always liked Tate. He’d come to Wildwood just over a year ago and fit right in like he was homegrown. He was nice, if a little egotistical sometimes, cocky but never rudely arrogant. And he had reason to be. Women seriously fell at his feet. She saw it happen once out at the lake last summer while he’d been out on a call. The woman had literally fainted on top of his booted feet.
He came by his reputation rather naturally.
“Brutal. But what else is new? We’re out there fighting fires and saving lives.” He returned his gaze to Wren, letting it linger. “I hear your brother starts his first shift at my station tomorrow.”
Wren nodded. “He sure does.” She said the words like she was reluctant to even speak to him.
“Well. Can’t wait to meet him. If he’s anything like Holden I’m sure we’ll get along fine.” The barista called Tate’s name, and he winked at them before he started to walk away. “See you later, ladies.”
“Something in your eye, Tate?” Wren called after him but he ignored her, too busy chatting up the cute barista who was batting her eyelashes at him.
“What was that about?” Harper asked as soon as Tate left the coffee shop.
Wren shrugged. “He’s annoying.”
Uh-huh. Just like Harper found West so annoying. “What did he ever do to you?”