“Is that why you wanted to buy the Bistro?” Aiden asked. “Because you admired her father?”
“No. I wanted to buy it because I knew Dee wouldn’t lift a finger to help with her mother’s things, and I didn’t want Abby to get stuck trying to fix it up just to get rid of it. I had no idea Abby was serious about reopening the Bistro.”
Aiden was glad to see there was even more to Wells Silver than he’d thought. “Thanks for watching out for her.”
“No worries, man. Abby and Dee are good people. As I said, we watch out for our own.” He crossed his arms and lowered his chin, setting a serious stare on Aiden. “What’s the deal with you two? You’re not going to leave her brokenhearted, are you? Because we don’t take messing with our women lightly.”
He and Deirdra would make a good pair. “Something tells me that you’ve caused your fair share of broken hearts.”
Wells looked in the direction of their table with a regretful expression.
“Rest assured, Wells, whatever Abby and I decide will be for the best.”
He met Aiden’s gaze. “For her? Or for you?”
“The fact that you’re asking me that means you don’t know me well enough to ask that. I sincerely hope we have a chance to rectify that before I leave the island.”
“Yeah, me too. I’ve got something for Abby. I’ll bring it by the table in a minute.”
Abby was telling a story about her father when Aiden returned to the table. He sat beside her, not at all surprised that everyone was as captivated by her storytelling as Aiden was by everything about her. He put his hand on her leg, craving the connection. His appetite for her was insatiable, but his need to simply be with her was even greater. He loved her radiant personality, her sense of humor, and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to challenge him. He’d been staying with her every night, and yesterday she’d suggested he bring some clothes over, so he didn’t have to run back to the hotel each morning. Before Abby, he’d have run for the hills at that suggestion, but he’d jumped at the chance for more time with her. Although he was preparing himself, because tonight he knew he might have to say good night at the door to give her and Cait privacy.
As if she sensed he was thinking about her, Abby glanced at him, smiling without missing a beat in her story. She placed her hand over his, squeezing his fingers around her thigh, as lustful and greedy as he was, which would make it even harder for him to sleep without her in his arms tonight. He thought about what Wells had said and what Wells would have no way of knowing. If Aiden were to break Abby’s heart, he’d also be breaking his own.
Wells showed up at their table a few minutes later carrying a bottle of champagne and a bottle of tequila. He was his exuberant self, high-fiving the guys and flirting with the women. When he turned his flirtatious comments on Cait, she stared him down like he was public enemy number one. Aiden noticed Wells’s eyes darting to Leni with every remark, as if he were gauging her reaction.
Brant lifted his chin in Wells’s direction and said, “Mind layin’ off Cait? She obviously isn’t into what you’re offering.”
Cait’s arm snaked around her middle, as Aiden had noticed her doing when she was uncomfortable. Her eyes flicked to Brant for only a second before leveling Wells with another serious stare.
“Why? To make room for you?” Wells scoffed.
“Okay, enough,” Leni said. “Cait probably isn’t used to guys playing dick wars.”
“Actually, I’m used to much worse.” Cait continued staring at Wells and said, “But I haven’t gotten a read on this one yet.”
“Are you saying you want to get your ink on my pages?” Wells countered.
“Ugh, dude.” Brant shook his head.
“Your lines are getting worse by the day, bro,” Grant added.
“Really?” Wells shrugged. “I thought that was pretty clever, but I’ll get out of your hair. I just stopped by to wish Abby luck in the competition.”
“Thanks, Wells. Dinner was incredible, by the way.” A tease rose in Abby’s eyes, and she said, “A little heavy on the basil, but to each his own.”
Wells laughed. “We’ll see what the judges have to say about that. I brought you something.” He set the bottles in front of her and said, “Tequila to drown your sorrows while I’m celebrating my victory and champagne in case you want to celebrate with me.”
Aiden knew from the cheesy grin on Wells’s face that he was only joking, but Jules must not have picked up on it, because she said, “You have no shame, Wells Silver.”
Wells winked at Jules. “I was kidding, darlin’. The champagne is in case you win, Abby. Good luck.”
Abby got up and hugged him. “Thank you. Good luck to you, too.”
Wells nodded to Aiden before walking away.
“I know he’s all over the map,” Daphne said, “but I love him. I think he’s got a big heart beneath that flirtatious exterior.”
“That’s not all that’s big,” Leni said.
“Leni,” Jock chided her.
“Damn, Len.” Brant chuckled.
Leni sipped her drink and said, “Put your imaginations away. I was talking about his ego.”
“What was that nod about?” Abby whispered to Aiden as the others talked.
“We had a chat and cleared up a few things. I also thanked him for taking care of your mom.”
Her eyes went hazy with that look women got when they saw puppies and babies. “You did that?”
“Yeah, and, Abs, he wasn’t trying to buy the place to get a leg up. He was trying to help you out. I think he’s a good guy.”
She leaned closer and whispered, “He’s a good guy, but not quite as good as my guy.”
Aiden had been praised by many, but he’d never felt better about himself than he did at that moment.
“I think we’d better settle the bill and get out of here before these two start tearing off each other’s clothes,” Leni said, and everyone reached for their wallets.
“It’s all taken care of,” Aiden said.
“How?” Leni asked.
“Did you pay already?” Jock asked.
“No way, man. We can help pay,” Grant said.
“Don’t worry about it.” Aiden pushed to his feet and said, “You guys can get it the next time.”
Everyone thanked Aiden as they headed out to the parking lot. The girls firmed up plans for tomorrow, and Aiden and Brant made arrangements to meet at the marina in the morning. After a round of goodbyes, Aiden, Abby, and Cait headed back to the house.
When they arrived, Aiden grabbed the tequila and Abby grabbed the champagne. She held the bottle over her head and said, “It’s still early. Anyone want to get tipsy on the good stuff?”
The last thing Aiden wanted to do was leave, but he said, “I thought I’d give you and Cait some privacy and stay at the resort tonight.”
“Don’t leave on my behalf.” Cait yawned and said, “I’m really sorry, Abby, but I worked fourteen hours each of the last few days to catch up with clients so I could get this time off. I was hoping to head up to the apartment and crash.”