“He’s way hotter than Michel, so good for you for reaching up.” She boops my nose again, and I’m one boop away from booping her nose with my fist.
“He’s very handsome.” I force a smile. “But he’s really sweet when he wants to be too.”Which isn’t often.My lips twist into a more natural grin at this play on words.
“Oh my god, you’re practically beaming. This is so cute.”
I keep my mouth snapped shut to suffocate a startled laugh. I’ll have to brag to Liam about this minor victory later. Obviously, he was mistaken with his concerns that I couldn’t pull this off because, hello, somebody give me an Oscar. I’m nailing it here.
Not that he’ll want to talk to me.
Internally groaning, Itoss a yellow straw into Harmony’s drink. Drafting him an apology won’t be easy, but Eli’s right, I jumped to conclusions I shouldn’t have and I owe him one.
Dipping my head to reach into the mini fridge for a sprig of rosemary, my cogs whir together as I figure out how to approach that very awkward situation. At least I have some time.
“And he visits you at work. Definitely a keeper.” Harmony sighs, pressing her palm to her heart.
No. My head shoots up, slamming into the overhanging counter. Son of a biscuit, that hurt.
“Seriously, Eevee, don’t mess this up, or I’m going to steal him from you.” She scrunches up her nose and playfully nudges me.
I rub my temple, eyes watering, and frantically search the bar. A non-committal “arghskfk” emits from the back of my throat.
Wonder Boy bows under a hanging beam, scanning the room. His looming demeanor suggests he’s still agitated and a tad broody. Not a great combination for me.
Mindlessly dropping the sprig of rosemary into Harmony’s glass, I shift it over to her and shuffle out from behind the counter. “Excuse me, I should—” I motion toward Liam, cursing under my breath. “If that man could leave well enough alone—just once in his damn life.”
My hand rubs the egg forming on my noggin. Maybe I can convince him to exit without ever talking to Harmony. The less those two interact, the better, considering I just gave Liam a loaded weapon to embarrass me with.
“I’m not dating that troll.”
Or“Is she still telling that creepy story? It’s adorable that she thinks she has a chance.”
Or some other variation of the actual truth is bound to slip out of his lips if I let it. And after the alley, I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to get even.
“I went to get your corsage,” he blurts, throwing me off-balance.
“Huh?” I blink.
“Your corsage.” He threads a hand through his hair. A crease forms between his brows, and he pauses, gingerly reaching for the spot where I hit my head. “What happened now?” His fingers trail the bump, and I forget I’m in panic mode for half a second.
Frozen, I gape at my assured destruction manifested in human form, delicately rubbing a bruise on my head. Why—what—who is this man?
“I’m fine.” I pull his hand down, but in my haze, I don’t release it. “Could we talk outside for a minute?”
He nods and turns, but before we reach the door, a shrill “Aww, you can’t leave without introducing me to your beau first” stops me in my tracks.
Shit. My momentary lapse of wherewithal gave the Goddess Divine of Moonbeams and Sparkles time to pounce, and now I’m about to pay for it, suddenly lodged in a shit sandwich of awkward.
In other words, I’m in a bit of a pickle.
That really didn’t cut the mustard.
For God’s Sake, Evie, focus or you’re toast.
Liam’s gaze oscillates between Harmony, me, and our hands clutching each other. His trembles in my grasp, and I release it, ready to open my mouth and explain the whole “beau” thing but find a dry desert in place of a voice.
“Liam, right?” Harmony bats her fake eyelashes, pressing her cherry red lips to the skinny straw in her glass. “I’m Harmony.” She offers out a dead fish of a hand. In his stupor, he doesn’t extend his own.
“Eevee was just bragging about how she has the sweetest, dreamiest boyfriend, so obviously, I had to come and introduce myself.”
