Before I can reply, another man stops by the table. I cross one arm over my chest in what I hope is a casual rather than defensive-looking posture.
“Where the hell have you been, man? Been trying to track you down for poker night for weeks. It’s like you fell off the damn planet.”
The man is probably an inch taller than Cav, and is as light as my man is dark. Sun-bleached blond hair gives the guy the look of a surfer. I can’t recall his name, but Cav clearly knows him well because they do that half-handshake, half-backslapping hug that must be encoded in male DNA.
“Bohannon, good to see you, man.”
Ah, that’s right. His name is Silas Bohannon, and I remember him as a surfer because that’s what he was in his last big movie.
“You gonna introduce me to this gorgeous woman?” he says, his aqua eyes on me.
“Not sure I should. You’re a little too smooth with the ladies.”
From his easy manner with Silas, Cav clearly isn’t worried, but still the words give me a hint that this very attractive man has no trouble finding female company.
“She’s safe from me. I’ve got my eye on a spitfire I haven’t been able to pin down.”
Silas’s attention drifts, and I follow his line of sight as it lands squarely on Windsor.
Hmm. Interesting. I can’t imagine she’d be stubborn enough to say no to this much man in her life . . . especially now that I’ve gotten an up close and personal look at pedophile Sean.
“Bo, this is Greer. Greer, Bo.”
I shake his hand, but it’s clear his mind isn’t on meeting me, despite being personable and polite. Cav notices his distraction as well.
“Persistence, Bo. She’s gonna give you a hell of a fight. You know she doesn’t want anything to do with another guy from this world.”
“She’s fucking wrong if she thinks we’re all like limp-dick Sean.”
I toss in my two cents without thought or invitation. “I might be overstepping here, but sometimes a woman just needs to know what it’s like to have a real man in her life. Especially if all she’s ever known is the limp-dicked variety. Don’t ask permission. Don’t apologize. Just man up and go after what you want.”
Both Cav and Bo’s heads swing around to me in surprise, and honestly, I’m a little shocked by the words coming out of my mouth. Before Cav, I would have never said something like that. I guess that’s proof of the changes he has brought into my life.
“A real man, huh?” Bo glances from me to Cav. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Maybe,” I admit.
Cav wraps his arm around my shoulders. “She knows exactly what she’s talking about. Her advice isn’t bad, but we both know Win won’t be easily persuaded. Have you ever thought about kidnapping?”
I elbow Cav in the ribs, and he coughs when I make contact.
“Don’t listen to him. She’d be a hundred times more likely to shank you than screw you if you kidnap her.”
Bo’s eyes narrow, and he looks from me to Cav. “Do I even want to know?”
I shake my head. “Just put that option out of your mind. I promise you, it’s best for your continued long-term health.”
Silence falls over the three of us until Bo speaks again. “What about tossing her over my shoulder and carrying her out so I’ve finally got her attention?”
I purse my lips and consider, wondering if the perfectly coifed Windsor would freak. She seems pretty damn cool, but you never know how someone is going to react to being manhandled. Who knew I’d freaking love it?
“You can give it a try.”
Cav adds his opinion. “I say go for it. Greer’s right—Win doesn’t know what it’s like not be in control twenty-four/seven. She might actually respond well to that.”
Bo’s mouth turns up in a sly smile. “I get the same vibe. I’ll let you know how it goes.” He nods to me. “Good to meet you, Greer. I trust you’ll keep this guy in line.”
“I’ll do my best.”
And then Bo is gone, heading in Windsor’s direction.
“Is she ready for what’s coming her way?”
Cav shakes his head. “No. Win’s been living in her own little world for too long now. It’s time she rejoins the rest of us in the real world. But Bo’s got his work cut out for him. She’s as resistant as any woman I’ve ever met to the idea of getting into another relationship. That’s why it was so easy for us to be friends.”
I want to ask the obvious question—You really didn’t sleep with her?—but I keep it locked down. There’s nothing to be gained by asking. If he did, it’s going to ruin my mood, and it’s kind of unfair of me to judge because I was sleeping with Tristan, but Cav doesn’t hold that against me. And secondly, I like Win, and I don’t want to feel an urge to claw her eyes out the next time I’m within two feet of her.
Yep, the newfound cray-cray jealous streak is still alive and well. Some questions are best left unasked.
Cav and I finish eating, talking to a few more people who wander by the table. So far, I’ve met more famous people in the last hour than in my entire life. My brother might be well connected, but that doesn’t mean I get to rub elbows with most of his connections. Besides, investment bankers and industry titans aren’t quite the same as larger-than-life film stars.
The best part about tonight? I’m learning a lot about Cav from these interactions. He’s well liked, humbler than most, and seems very proud to have me on his arm. I don’t talk much, mostly saying what I think is the right thing when it’s my turn.