“And bimbos.” I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, those too. Anyway, when he took the contract job with DROP, and saw that your organization was on the table, he became a nervous wreck. He thought about suggesting every organization but yours. I told him not to be such a fool, so he went for it. God,” Pace pauses and shakes his head, “you should have seen the sorry sight that walked into this apartment the day after you guys all went out—when he figured out something was going on with that Bo dude.”
My neck suddenly feels hot, and I look down.
“No, it’s OK, girl. Don’t worry. I told him he should have just gone right for you, but, you know how he is all “respectful” and whatnot.” Paces eye roll elicits a huge laugh from me.
“I take it you’re still single?” Monogamy, and relationships in general, were never Pace’s strong suit.
“You got it, baby.” He winks and brings his dishes to the sink. “I guess, given the fact that you’re here...things didn’t really ...”
“No, things with Bo didn’t pan out—so to speak.” I save Pace from his social fumble.
I spend the next several minutes telling Pace about everything that happened in Concord. Adrian walks in during the middle of it, but resigns himself to listening with his back turned, toasting our bagels. He slides my plate in front of me as my voice cracks around the details of the hotel room. I clear my throat several times in an attempt to sound composed, but the truth is, I’ll never get used to telling the story. Someday I’ll just have to stop. Adrian sweeps my hair away from the side of my neck, replacing it with his lips. Pace’s eyes leave mine for a moment as he studies his brother; when they return to me they’re different, softer. He believes in us—he always has.
“So, that’s it. That’s what the fuck I’m doing here.” I shoot Pace a wry smile.
“Thanks for clearing that up, November.” He chuckles and flashes a sexy, lopsided grin. It’s really a shame he won’t settle down. Well, I suppose it’s no shame for the hordes of women vying for his attention constantly. He stands to leave.
“Hey, before you go—remember Monica? She and her boyfriend Josh got engaged a few weeks ago. I’m throwing an engagement party for them at Finnegan’s in Barnstable—Fourth of July weekend. You should come.”
“I thought she didn’t like him,” Adrian spits out.
“No, it’s you she doesn’t care for. She loves Pace,” I tease. “You’re coming with me anyway, so it’s a non-issue. She’s over it.” I shrug.
Pace leaves, and Adrian and I finish our breakfast. I leave out the part about Pace telling me the emotional turmoil I inadvertently put Adrian through. Adrian heads to work, and I deal with my conference calls. Rae and Monica each call me once, but I ignore them both.
Chapter Twenty-One
“That was a great set, guys. Awesome work tonight.” I chug water backstage at Finnegan’s, grateful that I’ve made it all the way to Saturday night without having to talk to anyone about Ainsley and Bo. Judging by Rae’s appearance in the crowd tonight, however, I know my grace period is over.
After a few minutes of anxiously winding my mic cord, I look up to find myself alone with Regan. Josh hasn’t said much to me since the concert. I guess that’s to be expected; Monica seems to be his barometer for interactions with me lately.
“Nice work yourself, Ember.” Regan stares at me for an uncomfortable amount of time.
“Regan, I’m fine...really.”
“That was intense, Ember. After you left ...”
“Nope,” I stop him. “I have zero interest in the rest of that sentence. I don’t care what happened or didn’t happen. I saw what I saw with Ainsley, he knows about Adrian, it’s all settled.” I nervously tie my hair into a disastrous bun.
Regan’s shoulders sink with his long sigh.
“I see Rae’s here. I should go talk to her,” I cut in before he can tell me whatever was going to follow that sigh.
“Yeah, enough ignoring us—I gave you two days, I can’t do any more.” Monica busts through the door, Rae in tow.
Regan kisses Rae on the lips before excusing himself to the bar, leaving me alone with the firing squad.
“I’m sorry for ignoring you guys yesterday,” I start.
“No, you’re not. But you’re lucky I only called once. This one forced me to leave you alone.” Monica gestures to Rae.
“I don’t want to talk about what happened at your house, OK, Rae? Bo and I both said things...look, I just don’t want to talk about it. We’ve proven over the last several weeks that we can’t be friends.”
“Ember, stop,” Rae ceases my rant, “I just wanted to tell you that I get it. It’s all-or-nothing with you two, and nothing seems to be winning right now.” Her face isn’t as sad as the words she just let out. My brow crinkles for a second.
“OK, well, thank you. I don’t want things to change between us, though ...” I walk toward her.