Читать книгу Christmas Seduction - Jessica Lemmon, Джессика Леммон - Страница 15

Six

Chaz’s Pub in Seattle was a far cry from the Brass Pony, with its scuffed floors and beaten tables. Tate walked in for the first time, took in the colorful red and green decorations, and decided he liked the place. Any establishment that decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving had his undying respect.

His brother Reid had invited him out to celebrate “the biggest drinking day of the year,” tacking on, “You’re British and it’s your duty to get pissed.”

As overwhelming as it was to learn he had a brother and a set of parents he’d never met, Tate had to smile. Could’ve been the yoga. He’d been more relaxed since the session with Hayden, though the buzz afterwards could likely be blamed more on sexual tension than downward dog.

The sexual tension part wasn’t entirely her fault. Tate and Claire hadn’t slept together since he’d found out about his family, and shortly after that she’d ended their engagement. In other words, it’d been a while.

Plus, Hayden was sexy as hell, had a way of revving him up and calming him down simultaneously. When she hadn’t been touching him to move his body into proper form, he’d noticed her sliding from position to position. It’d been like watching an erotic dance.

She was a unique experience, that was for damn sure.

“Tate, hey!”

A petite brunette bounced over to him, pulling him from his thoughts. Reid’s fiancée, Drew Fleming was as sweet as she was adorable and at the same time up to absolutely no good. He’d met her before—Reid had brought her when they’d gone out for drinks or dinners.

She looped her left arm in Tate’s, and he glanced down at the sizable diamond ring on her hand. Reid had proposed around the time Tate’s engagement had ended, as if Reid was an alien who had taken over Tate’s life. Wasn’t Tate supposed to be the one with the stable family life and fiancée?

“The boys are over there. I’ll walk with you. But then I’m returning to the dance floor with the girls. Andy and Sabrina,” she reminded him.

“Fiancées of Gage and Flynn.”

“You remembered!”

He had. Gage and Flynn were Reid’s best friends and coworkers. He’d met the whole gang in passing at one time or another.

Drew guided Tate to a high, round table with several stools surrounding it. Full glasses of Guinness were in front of each of the guys, suggesting they hadn’t been here long.

“There he is.” Reid wore the wide smile Tate envied. Not that Tate didn’t want his brother to be happy, but he’d like to stockpile some of that for himself. Wanted to feel with certainty that tomorrow would come, and things would return to normal again.

“Found a stray,” Drew released Tate and laid a kiss on Reid’s cheek. He didn’t let her get away, snagging her waist and dipping her low while kissing her thoroughly. Next to them, Flynn grinned, but Gage was less enthralled by the PDA.

“Still getting used to that,” Gage grumbled as Tate took his seat. Gage was Drew’s older brother, and Reid and Drew had kept their relationship from Gage until long after things had gotten serious between them.

“Hang in there, buddy.” Flynn slapped Gage’s back and let out a baritone chuckle. “Tate, man, how are you?”

Tate nodded, having no other word than a generic “fine.”

“You need a beer,” Flynn announced, waving down a waitress and to order one.

“Off with you, then.” Reid swatted his fiancée’s butt and she giggled, radiantly aglow. Once she’d scampered off, Reid’s smile stuck to his face like glue. “She’s pregnant.”

Flynn nearly spit out his beer.

Gage turned an interesting shade of pale green.

“Congratulations,” Tate said, figuring that was a safe response given the size of Reid’s grin.

“Are pigs flying?” Flynn asked, his eyebrows meeting over the bridge of his nose. “Did hell freeze over? Am I having a stroke?” He turned to Gage and asked, “Do you smell burned toast?”

Gage shook his head, but his color returned. “Maybe we’re all suffering from strokes. Reid Singleton: engaged and soon-to-be dad. What gives?”

“Drew. She’s...Drew.” Reid grinned bigger.

“I know how amazing she is. She’s my sister.” Then, as if it dawned on him at that moment, Gage smiled, too. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

“Me, too. Technically.” Flynn shrugged.

“And you,” Reid dipped his chin at Tate. “Legitimately.”

Right. Tate hadn’t thought about that. Reid wasn’t only a friend he was getting to know. He was a blood relative. The waitress delivered a Guinness, and Tate drank down the top third without coming up for air.

A pair of high-pitched squeals lifted on the air, and the guys turned toward the dance floor, where a brunette with glasses and a tall redhead were hugging Drew simultaneously.

“She told ’em. I knew she couldn’t hold out.” Reid said that with a smile as well, and if Tate had to guess, he’d say his brother’s joy wasn’t going anywhere soon.

“Sláinte.” Flynn held his glass aloft, and the four of them banged the beers together. “So what have you been up to with the wellness commune, Duncan?”

He’d only met Flynn twice, but had determined that joking was Flynn’s style. Tate liked Reid’s friends and their fiancées. They were good people.

“Planning on a big Thanksgiving dinner Friday for the residents,” Tate answered. “Serving Kool-Aid at the end for the really dedicated.”

The guys laughed at the cult reference. Tate took it as a win. He knew the way Spright Wellness Community had been perceived it the past, but the place had gained a reputation for luxury living, thanks to Tate. Visitors flocked to the island and filled their community to capacity to eat, shop or simply spend time in nature.

“What about you guys?” Tate asked.

“Family dinner.” Reid slid a glance at Gage. “With that wanker.”

“I tried to disinvite him, but Mom said it’d ruin the holiday,” Gage returned, poker-faced.

“We’re going to California to Sab’s parents. Her brother, Luke, is flying in from Chicago to join us.”

“He’s in Chi-town now?” Reid asked. “Sabrina never told me that.”