Love Bug (The Prescotts Book 3) by Tara Wyatt (electric book reader .TXT) 📗

here these days.” He shook his head. “Enjoy your evening. Nice seeing you, Max. Maybe next time you’ll have the balls to hit me.”

His father turned to go and Max took a half step toward him, but stopped when Noah put a hand on his chest. “He’s not worth it.”

Max closed his eyes and blew out a breath. “You’re right. He’s not.” Then he turned to Willa. “I’m so sorry, angel. He’s the world’s biggest asshole. He’s nothing but a bully. I’m sure he only came over here to get a rise out of me.”

She nodded. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

He slid a hand up and down her arm. “Are you sure?”

She nodded again. Even though Quentin had insulted her, her heart was breaking for Max. She couldn’t imagine having grown up with a man like that for a father. No wonder all of the Prescotts had so much baggage. She wondered if Quentin knew—or cared—about the tremendous damage he’d inflicted.

“Are you?” she asked. “I can’t believe that jerk’s your dad.”

“I’m okay. I do still wish I’d hit him for talking to you that way, though.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. Like he said,” she said, gesturing to Noah, “he’s not worth it.”

“Hey, I’m Noah Prescott,” said the man, extending his hand to her. “Max’s cousin.”

“Willa. Nice to meet you. You have impeccable timing.”

Noah shook his head. “I saw Quentin heading your way and knew I’d better keep an eye out. Can’t help you if you get arrested,” he said, clapping Max on the shoulder.

“Only if I set something on fire.”

Noah laughed, then explained to Willa, “I’m a captain with the FDNY.”

Her eyes widened and she pointed at him. “You’re the one who was on the cover of the firefighter’s calendar! Lauren told me about you.” She was pretty sure the word Lauren had used was yummalicious.

Noah’s cheeks turned pink and he waved away her comment. “That was like two years ago now.”

Max patted Noah’s rock hard stomach. “Yes, you’ve clearly gone to seed since then.” He glanced around. “You here with anyone?”

“Levi’s around here somewhere. We got the tickets as part of this first responders thing. Not sure where he went.”

Max tipped his head in the direction of the buffet, pointing at a younger but equally handsome man loading his plate up with food. “Found him.” He pointed him out to Willa. “Levi’s Noah’s younger brother and a paramedic.”

“Should’ve thought to check by the food,” said Noah, his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. He shot Willa a charming smile. “Well, it was nice to meet you. I should let you get back to your evening. Max, give me a call—come out to Jersey and box with me. The guys and I finally got the gym set up.”

Max nodded. “Sounds good. Will do.”

As Noah moved away through the crowd, Willa wanted to call after him, asking him to come back. He was the first nice, normal person she’d talked to all night.

“I’m surprised he’s not here with a date,” she said to Max.

“As far as I know, Noah doesn’t date much. He’s got a pretty full plate with work and family stuff.”

“So your dads are brothers?”

Max nodded. “Were. My Uncle Caleb was a firefighter with the FDNY. He died on September 11th.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “Oh. I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard for everyone.”

“Dad was never close with his brother, but we all got along well with Caleb’s kids. I think my Aunt Veronica felt bad for us and invited us over when she could.” He shook his head. “Anyway.” He turned to face her and slid his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry about my father. He is a colossal asshole and I still wish I’d punched him for the way he talked to you, which was completely unacceptable.” He smoothed a thumb over her jaw. “You’re so goddamn beautiful, angel, and there’s no one I’d rather be with. You know that, right?”

She swallowed and nodded, not wanting to tell him exactly how many hits her self-confidence had taken tonight. “Can we dance?” she asked just as a Frank Sinatra song started up. “I want you to myself for a little bit.”

He smiled at her, so full of warmth that it chased away the doubts and insecurities trying to sink their claws into her. “Of course.” But as soon as he started to lead her out onto the dance floor, they were once again interrupted by people wanting to speak with Max. He tried to wave them off, but she let him go, shaking her head.

“It’s fine. I’m going to go get some air.”

He seemed unsure about letting her go, but she needed a break from the press of the crowd, from the rich snobs who looked down their noses at her, from the glamorous atmosphere, so she smiled at him and wove her way through the crowd, following the signs for the designated smoking area, even though she’d never been a smoker.

A small terrace had been set up off a side door so that anyone wanting a little fresh air or a cigarette didn’t have to deal with the craziness of the red carpet again. When she stepped outside, she was grateful for the cool breeze that greeted her, even if it was slightly tinged with the smell of smoke. Only a few other people occupied the terrace, smoking and talking.

“Willa.”

She turned at the sound of her name and was surprised to see Lucian leaning against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his fingers.

“Lucian,” she said, smiling as relief filled her at the sight of a friendly, familiar face. Not that Max wasn’t friendly or familiar, but he was just so busy talking to all of his rich friends. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

He shrugged and took a drag off his cigarette, then blew out a stream of smoke. “It was a last minute decision.” He glanced between her and his cigarette. “Don’t tell Max you saw me smoking.”

She laughed,