Brynn smiled at her friends, ignoring the twinge of envy that pricked in her belly. That’s what she wanted. That connection. That the-rest-of-the-world-disappears-when-we-lock-eyes phenomenon. And of course, the only man she’d felt that with was the man she was trying not to think about tonight.
After grabbing their drinks, the ladies migrated to a round high-top that sat three people. The table sat at the edge of the indoor and outdoor portion of the bar separated by a roll-up glass-paned bay door. It was prime table real estate on a Friday night because Lanterns had live music on the back deck that overlooked the lake.
Ali fixed her purse so it hung on the back of her chair and when she turned back to them she lifted her drink and began their ritual toast, “To good friends.”
“Good drinks,” Brynn recited her part.
Jess clinked her glass to both Ali’s and Brynn’s as she went off book. “And good sex.”
Ali rolled her eyes at Jess’s substitution of the word sex instead of food. “Jess.”
“What? If that doesn’t deserve a toast, I don’t know what does.”
“Not if we’re not all getting it…” Ali not-so-subtly tilted her head toward Brynn.
“About that.” Jess took a drink before zeroing in on Brynn. “What’s the deal with you and Axel? Anymore nudity? Inappropriate groping?”
“I’m afraid not.” Brynn took a sip of her drink.
Jess looked genuinely stumped. “How is that possible?”
I wish I knew.
Brynn lifted her left shoulder in a shrug. “He keeps to himself.”
“Yeah. That’s what I’ve heard.” Jess always had her finger on the pulse of Whisper Lake gossip because she owned the sole beauty salon in town.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” Brynn asked in an effort to change the subject. “Did you guys have a fun date night last night? Did Ethan agree to wait until next summer or is he still pushing for a Christmas wedding?”
“We’ll get to Ethan later.” Jess waved her hand dismissively. “I’m not ready to move on from Mr. Mysterious yet.”
I am, she thought to herself. She understood that it was a slow gossip week, but Brynn was done obsessing about Axel. Or at least, that’s what she was telling herself.
“Actually…” Jess’s eyes narrowed and Brynn recognized the expression. She was devising a plan. When a broad smile spread across Jess’s beautiful face, Brynn knew that she’d come up with something really terrible. “Ethan might be able to help with this.”
“Help with what?” Brynn asked.
“With Axel.”
Brynn shook her head, still not following.
“He’s a U.S. Marshal.” Jess stated plainly, as if it were a full thought and didn’t require any other information.
Brynn stared at her blankly.
“He has connections.” Jess emphasized. “I’m sure there’s someone he can call that can tell him all about Mr. Mysterious.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works.” Ali smiled. “I think you might be watching too many procedurals.”
“Bite your tongue, I love my CSI.” Jess pointed at Ali and glared before sipping her drink. When she set it down she reasoned, “It wouldn’t hurt to ask Ethan to check him out.”
“No.” Brynn held up her hand. “I don’t want anyone checking Axel out.”
“Too late.” Ali elbowed Brynn.
When she turned around she saw that Axel had walked in. And several women had taken notice.
Brynn’s heart thudded loudly in her chest at the mere sight of him. He wore blue jeans that were distressed from hard labor—not manufactured that way—and a charcoal gray shirt that molded to his muscular frame that had her mouth watering. She’d noticed that he’d let his facial hair grow and it only added to his appeal.