“I’m glad I ran into you. Even if you do think I’m an asshole.” He smirked at me as we inched closer to our destination ahead on the right.
My lips quirked into a grin. “At least you’re a hot asshole.”
He started to speak but I cut him off.
“And I reserve the right to change my opinion if you let it go to your head,” I said. “So I’d think long and hard about the next words that come out of your mouth.”
His mouth twitched. “Long and hard, huh?”
I swatted his arm as he pulled into a parking spot on a nearby side street.
“Hey! Ow!” He recoiled, cutting the engine. “Those were your words, not mine.”
It was true. My mind had been in the gutter all evening. And who could blame me for wondering what secrets were contained in those dark jeans he wore?
I ignored him, flipping down the mirror over the passenger seat to check my reflection. I wiped away a stray eyelash before sweeping my ChapStick over my lips.
With every move, I could feel his eyes on me.
“What?” I asked, turning to him and then back to the mirror. “Is there something on my face?”
“Huh?” He cleared his throat, running his hand along the back of his neck. “Uh, no. You look good.”
Warmth spread through my limbs as I climbed out of the car, smoothing my T-shirt over my waist. Luca joined me on the crowded sidewalk, and we started toward The Basement. A few faces flickered with recognition, including a blonde in a barely-there halter top and miniskirt who didn’t even try to hide her stare.
Seriously? I’m right here.
Not that he waswithme, but wewerethere together. How did she know we weren’t on a date? I had half a mind to tell that girl to take a picture—that it would last longer—but before I could, Luca’s hand found the small of my back again, inadvertently letting her know that at least for tonight, hewaswith me.
I flashed the girl a smug smile as we pushed past her. I didn’t know if he was doing it so he wouldn’t lose me in the crowd or because he was afraid my tipsy ass might face-plant onto the dirty concrete, but I didn’t care.
Tonight was all about escaping reality.
TEN
Luca
My hand endedup on the small of McKenzie’s back as I guided her toward the entrance of The Basement East. It was the second time my fingers had been drawn to the spot that evening.
I’d noticed a blonde as we were walking up the sidewalk, or more accurately, she’d noticed me. She was exactly the type of girl I normally would have gravitated toward.
But that was before. Before my entire existence had become an open wound, my emotions an exposed nerve. When I didn’t care about myself or anyone else. But now, Ididcare, and that shifted my perspective and everything I wanted. It changedme.
There was also a part of me that felt protective of McKenzie. Like when I’d seen those creeps leering at her at The Piccadilly Deli. And when I caught the blonde sizing her up in a way that made any beauty the chick possessed evaporate into thin air. I wanted to send a signal to her and anyone else who happened to be watching exactly who I was with.
“This place is packed,” McKenzie said over the noise of the crowd once we were inside. She drew her arms in close to her sides, making herself as small as possible.
“Are you good?” I asked as people squeezed past us.
“I just…” She trailed off and blew out a breath. “I need a drink, and then I’ll be fine.”
She bounded off in the direction of the bar, and I followed.
“Excuse me,” she said, wedging herself between two guys at the end.
At the sound of her voice, one of the guys looked down at her, his thin lips stretching into a smile.
“Get on in here, gorgeous,” he said. “Let’s get you a drink.”
