My best friend pensively sipped her drink.
“I love what you’ve done with your hair,” I said. It was in a Brigitte Bardot style updo, with tendrils of her blond hair framing her face. Glittery statement earrings hung down the sides of her neck and she wore a short sequin dress in her signature pink. “It’s a vibe.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, but it was faint and I sensed her nervousness. “I wanted to try something new.”
Anna used to enjoy socializing and being the life of the party, once upon a time. Now she only made the effort when it was an important occasion. Like tonight. She was doing her best to get reacquainted with going out and enjoying her life again.
I squeezed her hand to silently tell her that I was proud of her.
Her stiff posture relaxed and she squeezed back, letting me know she’d needed this reassurance.
Eventually, when her eyes steered over the other side of the room and held long enough, I followed her line of sight to see what had captured her attention…
And noticed Sam standing against a wall, talking to another football player.
As if he felt her gaze on him, his head turned slightly.
Anna’s eyes flared and she gulped at being caught.
He gave her a half smile and a playful, acknowledging wink.
Taking a page out of Josh’s matchmaking book, I inserted, “Why don’t you go over there and congratulate him on the big win?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because he just won a championship?” I supplied. “And because he’s into you?”
And you’re kind of into him too.
“He’s not into me,” Anna denied. “Like I said before, he doesn’t really know me—”
“What are you girls talking about?”
“Nothing!” we said in unison when Josh ambushed us from behind and threw his arms around our shoulders.
“Where’s my congrats? I just won a championship and I deserve to be showered in praise.”
“Congratulations!” I said on cue. “Happy for you, Joshy!”
Anna, on the other hand, said, “My goodness, Josh. You’re so humble. I wonder where you get it from?”
“From my daddy.”
Anna rolled her eyes good-naturedly at his response and I snorted. Vance Remington was the furthest thing from humble. “Right.”
“Keep antagonizing me and I’ll call Sam over. Then you’ll have to congratulate us both,” he volleyed back, wiggling his brows. “Oh, by the way, I’m also here to assuage your fears.”
Anna eyed him skeptically. “What fears are those?”
“Sam is not into Dacia—he’s into you. So your jealousy streak can rest at bay.”
Anna paled. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“For your sake, I flat out asked Sam and he confirmed they’re just friends.” Josh shrugged. “And I did tell him that you would be up for a triple date with Layla, me, Gabby, and Hunter…if he joined.”
Oh my God.
Josh had a death wish.
