“I’m starving. There’s a booth over there.” He points. As we’re making our way to the table, I hear, “Demi?”
Lexi rushes over and hugs me. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asks as she pulls away. She’s dressed in jeans and a flowy white top, her makeup done to perfection. I usually only see the aftermath of a night of partying and hard drinking, so it’s nice to see her fresh.
“Connor and I came for dinner. What are you doing here?”
“I was supposed to meet a co-worker of mine for drinks, but she flaked on me. Called me right before I walked in.”
“Well come and sit with us. We just finished some pool, and we’re about to grab a bite.”
The evening starts off well. We eat and laugh, but then things seem to go downhill from there. At least for me anyway. Lexi starts ordering various shots and shooters for us. Connor takes two, then refuses anymore deciding to stick to water for the rest of the night. Me, I’m an idiot and get drunk in 0.4 seconds. I’m having a great time, but my happiness is only amplified seeing my sister so happy. I realize Blake’s death has hindered me socially, rightfully so. I mean, I lost my husband, of course I haven’t been up to going out and having a good time, but what I didn’t realize is how much Lexi has missed nights like this together. So when she drags me out on the dance floor, I let loose and try to enjoy myself and the time with my sister. Not long after we’ve started dancing, I notice Connor isn’t at our table. Scanning the room, I find him standing near the bar talking to a skinny blonde that looks like she’s twenty-five. When his gaze flicks from her to me, I jerk my gaze away and try to pretend seeing him near her doesn’t make me feel . . . something. Jealous? Really?
“You’re way hotter than her,” Lexi yells in my ear.
Of course, I play dumb. “Who?”
And as if she just read my mind, she scoffs, “God you suck at playing dumb.” I roll my eyes hating sometimes how well she knows me. “He keeps looking at you like every five seconds, ya know?”
“Who?”
She stops dancing and her look says, are you still trying to play dumb?
“Dude. You guys are totally attracted to each other. It’s really fucking obvious.”
I keep moving in rhythm with the song as I argue with her. “We’re just friends, Lex.
That’s it.”
“Yeah, friends that like to eye-fuck the fuck out of each other.”
“Whatever,” I fold. I’m too drunk to argue with her.
“He’s looking at you right now,” she says. And when I look over to where he’s standing, sure enough, Connor Stevens dark eyes are watching me even as he seems to be saying something to the blonde. My cheeks heat as I once again pull my gaze away.
“I know you don’t think my opinions hold much water, but I like him Demi. And . . . I don’t think it’s such a bad thing that you like him.” I’m a little stunned by her proclamation, but before I can respond, a slow song comes on and Lexi leaves me on the dance floor, running over to Connor. She whispers something in his ear, giving the blonde he’s been speaking with a smile that doesn’t quite look real, then she scurries off to the restroom. I turn away and begin to sway with the song, but can’t help looking back. Apparently, alcohol kills my self-control. My stomach twists when I see Connor walking toward me. Is he going to ask me to dance? Maybe he’s ready to go. Or maybe he wants to leave with the pretty blonde, and he’s coming to say goodbye to me. Oh, God, he’s dissing me.
“May I have this dance?” he asks as he approaches, an easy smile on his face.
“Did my sister tell you to?” I respond, trying my best not to slur.
“Tell me to what?”
“Dance with her drunk sister?”
“She told me to keep an eye on you. Make sure nobody messed with you. I thought you could use a partner,” he replies. When he holds out his hand, I take it, and he pulls me in, holding me close.