“Yeah,” I answered with a sigh. “I didn’t think he’d be here tonight. You know Lucy from the gallery, right?”
Seth nodded.
“He’s related to her friend, Marcus. They spend a lot of time together, and that’s how I met him.”
“Hmmm. Well, he definitely doesn’t look happy to see me.”
It took everything I had not to glance over at Elijah again. Chills skittered down my spine. Before I could formulate a reply, the hostess led us through a short hall that opened into a private dining area. Tanya, Jordan, Yancy, and Charles were the only ones there. This wasn’t surprising. Chris, Lucy’s husband, was a stickler for punctuality, but Lucy was not. Chelsea was always five minutes late to every brunch or dinner. Only for work was she on time, and that was mostly because she said listening to Chris bitch about it under his breath wasn’t worth it. He never outright said anything because he knew that Chelsea would give him shit right back and point out all the times he needed her to stay late at the office, usually by a great deal more than five minutes.
Yancy grinned as soon as she saw me, her eyes twinkling as took in Seth’s arm around my hip. “You brought a date!” she squealed, running over to throw her arms around me.
Thank goodness Seth’s arm was around me because she almost knocked me off my peep-toe pumps.
“Oops,” Yancy said, releasing me and stepping back. “Sorry.”
Judging by the flush in her cheeks, she’d already had a drink or two. I smiled back at her. “It’s okay. Yancy, this is Seth. Seth, this is Yancy.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!” she exclaimed, holding out a hand.
Seth released me and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Yancy. Congratulations.”
“Thank you so much,” she said, her voice still high and happy. “Let’s get you two a drink!”
Seth chuckled when she turned and stumbled over her own feet a little, but his hand shot to her elbow to steady her. I liked that. There was a small bar area against the far wall and one bartender. However, before we reached it, Yancy stopped in front of Charles, Tanya, and Jordan.
“Guys, this is Seth. Grier’s date.” She gave them a silly, exaggerated wink as she said it, which made me up her speculated drink consumption from one or two to three or four.
The men shook hands, introducing themselves. Tanya offered her hand and name as well.
Before the small talk could get underway, Seth touched my lower back with the tips of his fingers and asked, “Would you like a mojito, or would you prefer a glass of wine?”
Surprised he remembered my preferred cocktail, it took me a second before I answered. “Oh, um, a glass of pinot noir, please.”
His fingertips traced across my lower back to my hip as he stepped back and headed toward the bar. A small shiver ran through me as I watched him walk away. My interest was officially piqued. His touch might not set me on fire, but I was noticing things about him tonight that I hadn’t noticed before. And I liked what I saw.
“I could use another glass of wine too, Charles,” Yancy said, leaning into her fiancé, batting her lashes.
With a chuckle, he kissed her forehead. “Sure, babe.”
“And a glass of water,” Yancy continued. She turned to Tanya’s husband, Jordan. “And I’m sure your wife could use another cranberry juice.”
I nearly snorted at her obvious attempt to get rid of both men. Jordan didn’t even hesitate before he kissed Tanya’s shoulder and walked with Charles toward the bar, both men stopping beside Seth.
Chelsea stepped closer to me. “He. Is. Gorgeous,” she said, lowering her voice just enough that the guys couldn’t hear her.
“He is very good-looking,” Tanya chimed in.
My face heated as I glanced around but there was no one to save me. “Y’all, this is our first date.”
“And he knew what you like to drink without asking?” Tanya continued. “Impressive.”
“How did you meet him?” Yancy asked, almost speaking over Tanya.
“He’s a friend of Davide’s. He comes into the gallery all the time.”
“He’s obviously into you,” Yancy said, leaning closer to Tanya. “Did you see the way he looked at her?”
Tanya smiled serenely. “I did.”
