“Deal,” he agreed when he saw it was important to her.
As she wrapped them in protective paper and put them in a bag, he noticed that Patrick had picked up his book and was lost in his own world again. Meeting Patrick and Kade had given him insight into his relationship with his brother that he honestly didn’t think he could’ve gained otherwise. Neil, like Kade, was a tornado. He spun around and didn’t care what he destroyed in the process. The difference was, Kade was a kid. Neil was an adult. He had no excuse.
An epiphany hit him that part of what had been holding him back with Eliza, was Neil. Not out of some misguided sense of loyalty because the two of them had dated in high school, he didn’t give a shit about that. His reluctance stemmed from the same place that had caused Nate to avoid Eliza at the fundraiser. Because Neil was a wild card. There was no telling what he would do, say or who he would hurt to get what he wanted. Or if he didn’t, to make someone pay for his perceived injustice.
Things were different now. Now he’d been with her. Felt her body respond to him. He’d heard her say his name while he was buried deep inside her. They’d crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed, not that he wanted it to be.
And today, seeing the dynamic between Kade and Patrick had opened Nate’s eyes to a pattern he hadn’t even been aware he’d fallen into. He was done living his life on eggshells. Neil might not like that Nate loved Eliza, but he was going to have to deal with it.
“Just wanted to make sure that you know these are women’s glasses,” she verified before handing them to him.
“I do.” He smiled as he took them, thinking of the woman he’d be giving them to.
“She’s a lucky girl.” Allison grinned back.
No. He was the lucky one. Even if last night was all they ever had, he was the lucky one.