“It’s nice to see you again.” With a grin as he glanced behind me, he leaned in to kiss my cheek. “What is that perfume? It reminds me of Paris!”
I giggled. “I’m not wearing anything.”
As I drew away, a voice behind me rumbled in greeting. “Ayers.”
My heart leaped into my throat as David’s unmistakable presence stopped next to me.
“David. Didn’t see you there.” Brian winked at me. The men shook hands with vigor. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d show your ugly mug.”
“Careful.” David’s steady tone hinted at teasing as he started to take a sip of something dark. “You wouldn’t even be allowed in the venue if I hadn’t pulled strings to get you in this magazine feature.”
Brian’s chiding response fell on deaf ears as I glanced up and met David’s unreadable gaze, locked on me. He’d shown up, but he didn’t look happy about it. What was he thinking? His expression remained smoother than his bristly jawline, his dark hair disheveled. I rolled my lips together to keep from gaping.
“How’s your date going?” I asked, looking past him for a woman.
David looked into his drink. “Over before it began, I’m afraid.”
I concealed a burst of giddiness by drinking more chardonnay. Perhaps it was thanks to the alcohol, but I dismissed any shame over my unwarranted and uncharacteristic jealousy.
“Only a fool would bring a date to a party filled to the brim with beautiful women,” Brian said, drawing my attention back to him. “In fact, I was just asking Olivia here when she was going to let me take her picture. You’d look perfect hanging in my living room, Liv.”
I blushed. “I don’t think so.”
“Don’t get shy on me.” Brian wrapped me in a side hug, looking down at me. “You have magnificent eyes—they really are unusual. The camera would love them. Aren’t they magnificent, David?”
“They are,” David said without a hint of emotion. He swirled his dark-honey drink in measured circles. A charcoal V-neck sweater over a slate-gray button down showed off the knot of a matching tie, which he loosened as his eyes burned into me. My body thrummed under his dimming gaze. The way he looked at me, like he couldn’t control what might happen next, almost brought me to my knees.
“What do you say to that, David?” Brian asked, breaking through our moment.
“Hmm?” With obvious reluctance, David tore his eyes from mine. “To what?”
“I just told you there’s a nice-looking redhead over by the railing, twirling her hair, just begging for you to scoop her up. Why don’t you run along so Olivia can give me a rundown of available women?”
I followed Brian’s gaze to the hotel’s event coordinator. After David had connected us, Serena and I had met with her a few times to plan this event. When David looked over, she waved, as if she’d been waiting to catch his attention.
David nodded. “That’s Amber. She works here.”
“Well, that’s convenient.” Brian smirked. “She can run one floor down when she’s on break.”
“Fuck off,” David said, glancing at Brian’s arm around me. “And why don’t you keep your hands to yourself?”
Brian showed us his palms, a twinkle in his eyes as he nodded sideways at David. “I don’t know what’s up his ass, but he needs a good lay, and he isn’t going to get it hanging out with us, is he?” he asked. “She’s just David’s type, but I like a girl with substance, Olivia. Someone creative and carefree, who’s also a little weird.”
I bit my cheek to hide my smile at the unsubtle swipe at his friend.
“Let’s find me a girl like you—smart and beautiful, but edgy, too,” Brian said and sipped his wine. When I started to protest, he took my hand and lifted my arm, urging me to twirl. “Oh, come on, I know you’re a little wild. Look at you, in your leather dress.”
David’s grip tightened around his glass. He didn’t like the topic. He didn’t like Brian touching me. But so what? He wasn’t even supposed to be here, and if he was going to do nothing but brood, why even show up?
“Actually, I’m borrowing this outfit from my friend,” I said. “And just your luck—she’s here tonight.”
It wasn’t hard to spot Gretchen, her long, platinum blonde hair like a beacon across the dancefloor. I raised a hand to catch her attention and wave her over. “She’s a real catch. Funny and smart, but she came with someone,” I said.
“Is she clever?” Brian asked.
“Yes, though she might try to fool you,” I said, setting my wineglass on the table next to us. “People always underestimate her, and she plays into that.”
Gretchen waltzed over with what looked like a Shirley Temple, her curious blue eyes flitting over the three of us and landing on the sexy surfer. “Hey.”
