Eli adds, "Five bucks says he stops pretending he isn’t obsessed with her by midnight."
"Make it ten," Dex mutters.
Shari grins like she’s been handed season tickets and a backstage pass. "I love it here."
Finally, Bryce reaches us.
He stops inches from me.
Close enough to smell cedar, clean soap, and trouble.
"You came," he says quietly.
"Against my better judgment," I reply.
His lips tilt. "Glad your judgment sucks tonight."
Before I can respond, a man appears. Tall. Handsome. Overly cologned.
"Annabelle?" he asks with a smile.
Of course.
A man only appears immediately after a line likeGlad your judgment sucks tonight.The universe loves comedy.
"Hi," I say politely. "Sorry, do I know you?"
He laughs. "Not yet. I’m Richard. I saw you walk in and figured I should say hello before the line forms."
Oh.
Oh no.
Shari is silently chanting, "Yessss, stir the chaos."
Bryce’s jaw ticks.
Richard gestures toward the dance floor. "Want to dance?"
My pulse spikes.
I open my mouth to decline… professionally, politely… but Bryce speaks first.
"She’s busy."
Richard turns, eyebrows raised. "Oh? You two are here together?"
Before I can answer, Shari blurts, "Physically no, emotionally yes."
I elbow her.
Hard.
She coughs. "What I meant was: uh. They are coworkers. Professionals. They like… spreadsheets."
Richard nods slowly. "Right. Well. If you want that dance, I’ll be around."
He walks away.
