“It’s nice to meet you. I had no idea Cam had a sister,” Finn says with a smile. “You want to join us? JJ’s here, though I’m sure he’ll bounce soon, and Bray just arrived with Bobby and Royal, and Ollie’s on the way.”
“Don’t forget me,” a female voice says from behind him.
When Josie peeks around his large frame, my first thought is of Savannah. Is she here too? My heart jumps as I covertly scan our surroundings.
“Hey, Uncle Cam,” Josie says, leaning in and giving me a hug.
As I release her, she scrutinizes Cora, and I once again introduce her.
“Just you tonight?” I ask, hoping like hell no one catches on to my eagerness.
“Savvy was with us,” Finn grumbles, “but Theo stole her away.”
My damn heart drops. “Theo?” I scan the restaurant more thoroughly, searching for the redheaded vixen. What kind of game is she playing?
Josie grins. “Yup.” She points to the bar. “Right over there. Aw, they look so cozy together. They’d make beautiful babies, don’t you think?”
I whip back around, frowning at the sarcasm, only to find her smiling innocently. She was a lot fucking nicer when she was a kid.
Then, because I can’t help myself, I turn back to the bar. And what I see has my blood running cold. Why the fuck does another man have his hands on my girl?
FIFTEEN
SAVANNAH
Calliope’s Column
It’s Not Him, It’s You (Kind Of)
Rule Number 2: Talk About Yourself, Not Your Ex…and Definitely Don’t Flirt with him in Front of Your Date.
It’s trulya pity that the men I’ve met for this project are so damn interesting.
I have a job to do, though, so unfortunately, Theo James and his beautiful smile will have to pay the price.
The key to all of this is to actually have chemistry with the person I chase away. Sutton is a desirable, intelligent woman. There’s no way she doesn’t recognize true chemistry.
Her issue is that she’s too eager.
Tonight, my goal is to hook Theo. I’ll flirt with him, get him to ask me on a date. Then the next time we meet, I’ll flip the script. I’ll cry on his shoulder, weeping about my ex. It’ll be perfect.
I’ve got the title of the article written and everything.
Talk About Yourself, Not Your Ex.
I’ve mentally added Finn’s balloon animalthing to my list of faux pas, but I won’t be using that technique on Theo fucking James. Just the thought of the mortification that would come along with it has my cheeks heating.
Fortunately, my goal tonight is to relax and flirt with him, which, it turns out, is not hard at all.
“So Vegas?” He hums, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Do you miss it?”
We’re in the middle of the wholewhere did you grow up?portion of the get-to-know-you game. It’s slightly unfair, I suppose, since everyone knows the Jameses are Boston royalty and that these are his stomping grounds.
“I prefer the seasons,” I say honestly. What I don’t mention is that the only way I’d return to Vegas is against my will, kicking and screaming the whole way. Every memory I have of that place is tinged with sadness.
He takes a sip of his whiskey, his eyes never leaving me. “Nashville’s beautiful this time of year. You should come visit.”
He plays for the pro team in Nashville, though he assures me he travels to Boston at least monthly, as if that’s a future concern of mine.
