“So of course you have to show him a good time.”

Bryce cocked a brow as though Christi could see him. “Of course.”

They talked for a little while longer before getting off the phone. Bryce went to the kitchen, opened a can of ravioli and thought about the food Nick had made next door. It sure as hell sounded better than fake meat and pasta in a can, but this worked for him.

His mind went back to his neighbor. Nick was different. He seemed a bit tight-assed in some ways, but not in others. Like he wanted to let loose and not give a shit about things, but wasn’t sure exactly how.

Bryce was good at that. He’d show Nick how it was done.

CHAPTER FOUR

“I’ll get the dishes.” Nick’s mom headed into the kitchen after they finished their meal.

“No, you don’t need to do that. It’s my house. I had you over for dinner. I’ll do my own dishes.”

She waved her hand at him. “Hogwash. I’ll get it. It’s what a good guest does.”

Nick sighed. “No, a good host doesn’t put the guest to work. They’re dishes. I can handle them.”

“I guess you’re right.” She smiled at him. “You know... Karrie has this friend she thinks would be perfect for you—nice and dependable. She’s just what you need, a traditional, down-to-earth, family woman.”

Nick groaned. Here they went again. “You know what I need?”

His mom studied him.

“To have fun. To not have a plan and to just see what happens. To live my own life.” Whatever it was. Nick wasn’t even sure, but he wanted to figure it out.

He could tell she didn’t like his answer. “Fine, but Rachel is a nice woman. You’d like her, Nick, I know it. A mom knows her son. You’d be happy settled down and married again with the right woman...”

Nick sighed and let her finish. It was the only thing he could do when she got like this—just ride it out until she was done. It was a lot easier than arguing, because if he did, the fight would only turn into tears and how all she wanted was for her kids to be happy. And he knew that, he did, but he wished she would let him figure out how to do that on his own.

***

Bryce sat next to Nick in the busy bar. There was a live band, people dancing and hardly enough space to move. They each had a beer sitting in front of them, their first of the night.

“It feels weird not being at the restaurant,” Nick told him, leaning close so Bryce could hear.

“You work every weekend?” he asked. That was the good thing about his job, he worked during the day.

“I work almost every day. Too much, from what I’ve been told.” Nick tilted the bottle and swallowed a mouthful of beer. “Feels good, though...taking a night off.”

“Good.” Bryce clapped a hand down on his shoulder and then pulled it back. At the same time he saw a woman sit at the end of the bar and glance their way. She had thick, blond hair and red lips. A nice, curvy body. She cocked her brow at him, knowing he was looking. “What about her?” Bryce nodded her way without trying to hide it.

Nick turned on his stool and looked over. She smiled at him; yeah, she was interested in talking to him.

“Go buy her a drink,” Bryce told Nick, who’d turned back his way.

“What? No. Not yet.”

Bryce rolled his eyes and tried not to laugh. “She’s gorgeous, right?”

“Hell yeah,” Nick replied.

“Then go buy her a drink, asshole.”

“You forget I haven’t done this before. Hell, I’ve never dated outside of my wife. I’ve never bought a woman a drink in a bar, or asked a woman out.”

Bryce couldn’t help but laugh this time. “You’re not trying to date her. I think she knows that. You’re trying to fuck her. Go buy her a drink. If she’s not interested, she’ll let you know.”

Nick looked down the bar again at the woman. She gave him another smile, and then nodded as if to say come here, confirming exactly what Bryce thought. She was most likely looking for a hook-up as well.

“Go buy her a drink. If it works out, great. If not, you’re out six bucks. It’s not a big deal.”

He watched Nick, who ran his hands down his shirt as if to make sure the damn thing wasn’t wrinkled or something. Bryce fought to hold in another laugh. As simple as he was, Nick was fun to him. He liked how new things seemed to Nick, and how nervous he was, but also that he wouldn’t let that hold him back.

“You’re right. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.” Nick downed the rest of his beer, looked at Bryce and grinned. “What do I say?”