25. Meggie

25

Meggie

A fter the Olympics, they usually turn the athlete housing into apartments, so I'm really hoping this unit goes to some boys who use 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash because there is not enough room in this bathroom for anything.

I'm putting the finishing touches on my makeup and picking up the broken bits of my eyeshadow palette off the counter, while trying to avoid knocking the soap into the sink, when there's a knock on the front door to our apartment. That'll be Em. She said she wanted to do dinner outside the village tonight with Ellis, Dante, and me. Something about needing to tell us something.

My face is two inches from the mirror as I try to apply eyeliner when I hear the click of heels coming down the hall. Em doesn't usually wear heels. I hope we're not going somewhere fancy and that my sundress and wedges are alright.

A hip bumps into mine, and I lose my balance, catching myself with a hand on the wall.

"Oops." Ava stands in the doorway. "You don't mind if I use the restroom, do you? I hate using the one down in the cafeteria."

What the hell is Ava doing in our apartment?

Thankfully, I just took the eyeliner away from my eye and finished when she walked in, so I don't have a smear across my forehead.

"No problem," I say with a forced smile, stepping around her.

I find my traitorous best friend in the living room. "What the hell, Em? Ava?"

"I think she's lonely," Em whispers. "She keeps sort of hanging around me."

I guess it makes sense. Ava's never really hit it off with the other swimmers. I mean, there's a reason we call her The Wicked Witch of the Pool. She probably spent what little free time she had with Harrison when they were still dating, and now that's over, and she doesn't have a lot of other people she can hang out with.

"She's actually not that bad when she's not trying so hard."

Em has always had a big heart. It's something I love about her, but right now having Ava in my space is making me all kinds of itchy.

Ellis and Dante come out of the bedroom just as Ava is exiting the bathroom. Mirror expressions of surprise turn on me and Em, a silent question in both their eyes.

"Hi, boys," Ava says, flipping her long hair over her shoulder and turning her attention to Em. "Ready for dinner?"

"Actually, Ava," Em adjusts her crossbody purse, "I was going to go out to eat with my brother, remember? We talked about this."

"Oh, right." Her face falls for the briefest moment before her normal resting bitch face returns. "I thought maybe you'd change your mind. You really should come to the cafeteria. Have you tried the crab rangoon yet? It's fantastic, and food in the city is so expensive."

I can tell Emily is about to open her mouth and invite Ava to join us, so I open mine first. "Ava, did you know Daniel is in the room right across the hall? I bet he would love to join you."

Am I trying to set her up with a man who is a complete and total asshole? Maybe. No, not really. Ava's catty, but she's never kidnapped anyone. Still, she knows him already, they seemed chummy on the flight to Paris, and it's the first thing I can think of to get her out of here.

"Of course, I know that." She rolls her eyes. "Why would you know that? Are you still obsessed with him?"

Is that hope in her voice?

"Absolutely not."

In seconds, Ellis and Dante are by my side, each with an arm almost pressed against mine, though not completely touching. I smile at their possessiveness. "I've already got my alphas."

Ava scowls and stomps out the front door.

***

The massive windows in this restaurant have to be fifteen feet high and I'm pretty sure the sconces cost more than my first car, but the atmosphere is very Parisian and a perfect spot for a nice evening out with my best friend and two of my men.

"Is this fish?" Ellis whispers to Dante as he takes in the beige protein on his plate. "I didn't know what turbot meunière was when I ordered it?"

"Well, it cost $190, so eat your French fish," Dante chuckles.

Emily pushes her pasta around her plate without taking a bite. Then all in one breath, like she's been holding it in and can't wait anymore, she says, "Ok. So, I'm kinda seeing someone, and you might not be happy about it."

"Why not? It's been forever since you've dated anyone. This is great." I give her hand a little squeeze across the table. Things with Lucas must have progressed past the flirting stage.

"If he makes you happy, then I'm happy for you, Em." Ellis eyes her plate. "I should have ordered something with pasta." Grabbing his fork, Ellis reaches over to steal a bite of Em's food.

"Let her finish." Dante's gaze is sharp and assessing. Does he know something else about this?

Em swallows a sip of water before continuing. "His name is Declan."

Oh. That takes me by surprise. It seemed like she was really into Lucas.

"He lives in Charlotte, not too far from us actually, and he's really… um, well, he's…ugh, this is awkward." Em's eyes dart towards her brother and then away to lock on me. "He's… older. But, oh my goodness, he smells delicious. Like the Rocky Mountains. Cedar. Evergreens and forest trails. You know, the alpha who came in with the dog the other day? His dog's name is Gunner. He works for the DEA, the Drug Enforcement Administration. France asked for extra help with drug control, so he volunteered. And—"

"Wait, are you saying your boyfriend works for the DEA?" Ellis's voice is lower than I've ever heard.

"Emily! Those are the people that track and arrest drug users! Including… you know…" My hand goes to my chest and my voice squeaks as I trail off.

"How did that even happen?" Ellis asks.

"Well, after he searched your room, he caught up with me at the elevator and… we got to talking. He took me to breakfast."

Dante reaches for his glass of water. Wine would have been good all around, but we decided to be responsible athletes and hydrate. Such a lame decision now as I'm about to be going on double-dates with a frickin' cop.

"Do you think there's any chance he could be getting close to you because he's suspicious about us?" Dante asks.

"What? No!" Em looks from her brother, to Dante, to me. Her eyes pleading. I've never seen her this way over a guy before. "How could… I mean, he wouldn't…"

I don't want her thinking the worst of a guy she clearly really likes, but I also don't want to see her hurt, if Dante's right. "Maybe just take it slow, okay? Be careful."

Ellis sighs and pokes his entrée with his fork. "Does he like fish?"

She pushes her plate of pasta at him and downs nearly a whole glass of water before gasping from drinking too fast. "I was so nervous to tell you."

I squeeze her hand reassuringly. But the comfort is an outward show for my friend and not a reflection of what I feel. I really hope she's right about Declan.

Em gives me a radiant smile. "I think you're really gonna like him if you give him a chance."

Picking up my fork, I try for bravery and spear a piece of Ellis's fish. "He does look good in the uniform. I'll give you that."

Dante growls possessively, and Ellis slides a hand up my thigh. I shake my head at their misplaced jealousy, but there's a big grin on my face. I love when they get all growly.

My bestie shoots me a relieved look and a thankful smile. I try to imagine what I would ask her if he was just any other man with a dog, instead of a DEA agent who could easily ruin my life. "So, has his dog ever licked your toes while you were hooking up?"

Ellis grabs his napkin to avoid doing a spit take while Em laughs. And before long, I'm telling them all about how a high school make-out session was ruined by an overeager labradoodle.