Page 13 of Golden Days

“I’m fine. I’ve been fine.”

Rhodes cocks his head and raises his eyebrows. His face says Have you, really?

I scoff and shake my head at him.

“I know what you need to do next.”

“Oh yeah?”

“You need to ask that cart girl out. She was cute.” He grins, elbowing me in the ribs.

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I admit, startling us both. Rhodes and I don’t often have heart to hearts. Rather, we drink whiskey in companionable silence.

“Well, you don’t have to marry her. Or anyone, for that matter if you don’t think marriage is for you anymore. But—don’t close yourself off to relationships. Some come and go, but you learn a hell of a lot with each one.”

I nod and give him one last hug before he boards his jet.

When Ezra lands, I’m in my head about the pro-am and Rhodes’s parting words.

“You look like shit,” my best friend says when he sees me.

“You look—” Great, as always. His blond hair is neatly buzzed, showing off his sharp features. Blue eyes glint, the corners crinkling with the force of his smile. I land on, “Like a nuisance.”

“Tsk, tsk, that’s no way to greet your best friend,” he says, poking the side of his cheek with his tongue.

I roll my eyes and give him a hug, running my hand over his buzzed head.

“Who did you piss off to give you this haircut?” I ask.

He scowls and escapes my embrace. “I’ll have you know, this is a hit with the ladies.”

The laughter that escapes me is loud and booming. Ezra stares at me for a beat, likely wondering when the last time was that I actually laughed. He’s not the only one.

“Are you saying I’m not handsome?” he asks once he realizes my laughter was aimed at him.

“Get in the car, you hunk,” I say over my shoulder.

“You ass. I came here thinking you were all sad and shit. But no—you’re making jokes at my expense,” he complains, long legs quickly catching up with me.

“I told you I didn’t need an intervention. But I’m glad you’re here,” I tell him.

“Now you need to catch me up on everything you’ve been doing lately.”

So I do. I tell him my plan for improving my image, and give him an update on Rhodes. By the time we get to my house, Ezra has more questions, but we both agree to table it until later.

The restaurant at the country club is empty compared to dinner the other night. My eyes roam around the room, looking for a certain curly-haired cart girl. I try not to think about why I’m disappointed when I don’t see her.

Rosie, the tall redheaded hostess from the other night, greets us.

“Welcome. Would you like a table inside or on the patio?” she asks. Her nimble fingers grab two menus and silverware, but she stops in her tracks when she sees Ezra. With wide eyes, she stares at my friend.

The fucker gives her the biggest grin I’ve ever seen out of him, and I roll my eyes, scowling at his profile.

“The patio sounds divine,” Ezra says, leaning his arms against the hostess stand. The movement puts him closer to Rosie.

I almost tell him to stop flirting, except—her cheeks are pink and she gives him a Cheshire grin in return. Oh god, there’s two of them.

With a groan, I walk past them and make my way to the patio.