“Hi, Davie.”
Matt noticed how Dale, Virgo, and Quaid looked at the young guy and then back at Sage.
“So, have you decided on dinner? Any appetizers to start?” she asked, looking a bit more comfortable than when she first came over. The guys rambled off their orders.
“Looks like the porterhouse all around, darling,” Quaid told her and then winked.
She smiled, and Matt’s hardened heart seemed to soften a smidgen. She was the only woman capable of that. It was killing him to not make a move. But she was young, twenty-two, and resisted any of his little flirtatious comments. Hell, she ignored Quaid’s, too. Besides that, he knew about her past, or at least the basics. Originally from Detroit, an orphan caught in the middle of a huge murder and drug-dealing operation that somehow involved Lena. Kenny Jones legally adopted her at the age of sixteen along with his brothers. She had her college degree, obtained early because of her work ethic and excellent grades. She was offered numerous jobs as a paralegal in Dallas and hadn’t made her decision as to which one she would take. Something held her back.
“So what’s the deal?” Dale asked them.
“We’ll discuss it at the end of the night. See what you have to say then,” Quaid stated and Matt smiled. It seemed that his brother was thinking what he had been. Perhaps their cousins Virgo and Dale would find Sage attractive, just like they did. Virgo and Dale were lonely, and wanted to find that special woman to share. They both had trust issues, but were loyal and strong-willed men. Bringing them here, and introducing them to the woman Matt and Quaid hoped would accept their advances was a step in completing the dream they all shared about sharing the same woman, and living together to provide her with more than she could ever ask for.
* * * *
Sage made her way over to Mr. Brent Pierson. He was a very attractive man, in his late thirties, who had been visiting town for the last two years. When she was attending college in Croton, outside of Turbank, she bumped into him at two separate clubs her friends hung out at. He was an entrepreneur, who made most of his money in investments. He loved Pearl and visited numerous times a year, but mostly in the summer months when the major activities occurred throughout the spring and summer through Memorial Day and Fourth of July. A few times he came during Fall Festival.
There were bets amongst her friends that he was searching for the right woman. He was a really nice man, but there was something kind of mysterious about him. He had hinted around about her paralegal degree, and about looking for work and letting him help her. She declined his offer for no
w. She wasn’t quite ready to leave Pearl.
“Can I get you another glass of wine, Brent?”
He smiled at her instantly. “If I haven’t told you yet, you look lovely this evening, Sage.”
“Thank you. Have you enjoyed your first few days here?” She held on to the chair in front of her as she absorbed the man’s attire. Dress shirt, first three buttons undone, which told all he was looking for action. However, he wore a long-sleeve shirt, crisp white, freshly ironed, and a real gold Rolex watch. Not some knockoff. She admired it last year, and he told her it was a gift from an ex-girlfriend.
“I have been. I heard about the celebratory dance party at the dance hall in Turbank. I may go check that out.” He held her gaze as she smiled sweetly.
“Well, if you’re looking for a good time and to meet some new people, that’s the place to be. My friends are going. I’m not sure if I am yet. I may be working.”
He scrunched his eyes together. “Surely Abigail will get someone to cover for you. You only live once, Sage.” He winked. She chuckled. Sometimes she thought he was flirting with her. Soon she realized the man was just that charismatic.
“Well, I’d better get back to work. I’ll be by to check on you shortly. Can I bring over another glass of red for you?”
He winked and nodded, and when she turned around, she noticed the big guy, Virgo, was staring at her. She felt the tightness in her chest, and her cheeks felt warm. She walked over to the table.
“Your meals should be right out. Can I refresh your drinks for you, gentleman?” She asked.
“Sure, honey. Bring us another round,” Matt told her and winked. She nodded her head and smiled as she walked away.
* * * *
Virgo was watching the man she had been speaking to. The guy hadn’t taken his eyes off her at all. He was interested, and for some strange reason Virgo didn’t like that. The man was much older, too, and looked kind of stuck up.
“What’s wrong, Virgo?” Quaid asked.
He nodded his head in the direction of the guy Sage had been speaking to.
“Who’s that guy over there in the white dress shirt?”
Only Quaid looked, and when he turned back, Matt and then Dale took a peek.
“That’s Brent Pierson. Some entrepreneur who’s been coming to town for years. He keeps to himself. Brought a girlfriend one time but never again.”
“Well, he hasn’t taken his eyes off Sage.”
Quaid smiled.