6. Nate

SIX

NATE

The August night air is warm, but the breeze makes it comfortable.

It's been a fun night. I've seen a lot of old football buddies. Got to harass Maddox's little brother some. Also got to introduce him to the one caterer, Presley, when she walked through the garden with a tray of food. But I've danced myself out, and no matter how many good conversations I have, my mind keeps wandering to the beautiful woman with the red hair.

When I didn't see her out here with a tray, I wandered through the house, taking the longest way possible to a bathroom, and found her elbow deep in plating.

Not wanting to be a total pain in the ass while she was working, I didn't bother her. I kept on walking.

But now that the night is winding down…

A large hand slaps down on my back. "What's that dumb look on your face for?"

I jab my elbow into Tony Stoleman's side. "Keep picking on me, and I'm gonna tell my mom."

He snorts. "Your mom won't yell at me. She loves me."

I don't argue because I can't.

He smirks, knowing it's true .

I try to backhand his stomach because he's a cocky dick. But he dodges.

"Quit being salty. My mom loves you just as much." He hooks an arm around my shoulder. "Come to the dessert table with me."

I walk with him. "Need me to make a plate for you and pretend they're for me? Is someone calling you out for eating all the pastries?"

"Not yet, but I'd rather avoid the drama."

Tony and I go back a ways. He's probably my closest friend aside from Maddox, and I trust him with my life. But I also know he's a shady bastard, and his love for baked goods is the only soft thing about him.

Tony tells me about the flight he has to catch tomorrow, back down to Arizona, but I'm only half listening as I fill up a little plate with desserts.

"What's this?" I interrupt, holding up one of the sweets.

Tony darts his hand out, taking the dessert from my grip, and shoves it into his mouth.

"Are you serious? There's a whole fucking tray of them right here," I gripe, picking up another one.

Tony grins, mouth full. "Stolen food tastes better."

I roll my eyes and take a civilized bite of what has to be some sort of homemade marshmallow.

I forgot how much I used to love eating them.

"It's like an inside-out s'more," Tony says, sticky marshmallow garbling his words.

Looking at the half-eaten thing in my hands, I have to agree. The oversized fluffy white marshmallow is stuffed with some sort of semi-firm chocolate, and the sides are coated in crushed graham crackers.

I shove the rest of it in my mouth.

Damn, that Rosalyn woman knows how to make food.

I pick up another one.

When I was hanging out with Maddox earlier, I not so subtly asked him about the caterer, which is how I found out that my curvy little Rosalyn is the owner of the catering company.

Not that it makes a difference in how attractive I find her, but being a business owner is hot. And it's a good bit of information to know.

"What's your deal?" Tony asks, eyes narrowed, bringing me back to the moment.

"No deal." I take a bite of the second inside-out s'more. "Just wondering how I'm gonna get the caterer to call me."

"You got a party coming up?"

"No…" I trail off and think about his question. "Huh. Well, that could work."

Tony lifts a brow. "Should I even ask?"

I smirk at my friend. "Probably not."