“You ready? I’m starving,” Amanda said as she leered at Shane. I couldn’t blame her; he was quite a sight. He was wearing a black polo shirt that hugged every last one of his rock solid muscles and light jeans that looked like they had been specially designed for his body.
He looked back at her, letting his eyes graze over her body as if he were deciding which part of her to eat first. And since her black shorts and black corset top accentuated everything she had to offer, he had quite a bit to choose from. “You really going out in that?” he asked, pretending not to care, though it was clear from the way he stared at her that he was very interested.
“Yup.” She popped the last letter as it left her mouth. She really was a masterful flirt.
He walked over to her and ran his hand down her bare arm as he leaned into her. “Just remember that I’m the only one who gets to take it off of you,” he said loudly enough for us all to hear.
“Trust me, baby. That’s one thing that you never have to worry about me forgetting.”
“Okay, let’s get out of here. We’re going to be late for our reservations,” I said to keep Shane from fucking Amanda right where they stood, and giving us all the show of our lives.
Shane grabbed Amanda’s hand and started for the door. Kyle wrapped an arm around Kate’s shoulder and followed them. I took a quick inventory of the rest of Shane’s friends. He had brought his other three groomsmen, all guys he’d grown up with and who I’d met only a couple of times: Mark, Luke, and Matt. I was always stunned how hot guys seemed to flock together. Their group would definitely be attracting some serious female attention tonight. Though, as I looked around at the girls, I knew we’d be turning some heads ourselves.
The only person missing was Max. I wanted to ask Shane where he was, but I worried how it might look. So I kept my mouth shut and silently hoped that he’d decided not to show.
***
I had chosen Arturo’s, an Italian restaurant, for one specific purpose: I knew it would be fun as hell to watch Shane try to find something to eat. And since he had insisted on at least beginning our night together, I felt I was owed my own sick form of revenge. I mean, seriously. Who wants to have a joint bachelor/bachelorette party? Shane Reed, that’s who. And while I knew it mostly had to do with his not wanting guys hitting on Amanda all night, he’d just have to get over that shit. We had all bickered about it for three hours one night until Shane finally relented under one condition: we’d at least all go to dinner together. So here we were. One big happy friggin' family.
I walked up to the hostess and told her the name of our reservation.
“Oh, the rest of your party is already here. I’ll show you back.”
So much for Max deciding not to come. I motioned for everyone to follow, and we made our way into the restaurant. I may have noticed how cozy the restaurant was, how it seamlessly combined a homey feel with a touch of elegance. I may have noticed that, if I hadn’t noticed Max’s girlfriend first. Damn, did she have to be so pretty?
Max stood when he saw us coming, but I barely registered him beyond this. Well, this and the fact that he was wearing gray slacks that were tailored to perfection and a crisp, white button-down with the top two buttons undone. Yup, barely noticed him at all. My eyes were, however, all over his girlfriend. She was stunning. Tall, thin with a tan complexion and dark features: every ex-fling’s worst nightmare. A trump card. And while I knew that it shouldn’t matter—that I was over Max and who he dated was none of my concern—I couldn’t help my instant hatred of her. It didn’t help that she was so hot. Even I wondered what she looked like naked.
“Hi, guys,” Max said in greeting.
“Hey, Max. Been here long?” Shane called.
I shot a glare over my shoulder at Shane, who probably got hard just at the sight of Max.
“No, maybe five minutes ago. Uh, let me introduce everybody. Mary, this is Lily.”
Mary extended her hand toward me with a large, genuine smile. “Lily, it’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“God, I hope that’s not true.” My eyes grew as big as saucers once I realized I had just spoken those words out loud. I quickly grasped her hand and shook firmly, laughing off my verbal diarrhea as a joke, and hoping like hell she bought it.
She laughed with me, but her smile was tight. Christ, I sure know how to make a first impression. I moved off to the side so Max could continue his introductions.
I felt Amanda bump my shoulder with hers. “You are fucking smooth. You know that?”