“I guess we’re about to find out.”
Protectiveness had me sliding my arm around her shoulders to pull her into my side. I’d asked her ages ago what perfume she wore because she always smelled amazing. She said it was 21:50 Rêverie. I inhaled it now, denying myself the urge to press a reassuring kiss to her plump lips.
A server appeared at the table to take our drinks order. Once she left, I turned to Callan. “Did you organize the VIP section?”
He shook his head. “Nah. They recognized me when we arrived and led us up here.”
“Nice.”
The drinks soon arrived, and we fell into easy conversation, talking about our weeks and everyday crap. Things got a bit awkward when Beth asked, eyes glinting with curiosity, “So … I’m dying to know how this happened.” She gestured between us.
Guilt tore through me. Around this table sat my favorite people in the world, and I hated lying to them. Maia tensed.
It was Ainsley, the only one who knew the truth, who came to the rescue. “I think it’s better not to talk about that stuff in public. Prying eyes and ears, you know.”
Beth grimaced as I offered my sister a grateful smile.
“Oh, of course.” Beth nodded. “You’re right. I’ll get the tea later from Maia.” She gave her pseudo-cousin a pointed look. I guessed that perhaps Maia had been avoiding her.
This was the worst part.
Though I couldn’t deny that Maia snuggling against me soothed my discomfort.
Not long later, after our third drink, Maia turned to me and said, “I want to dance.”
“That’s where the camera phones are,” I reminded her.
“We came here to be seen, so we might as well enjoy ourselves.” She started to slide out of the booth. I had to curb a masculine groan when I found myself face-to-face with her sequins-covered arse. Such a perfect, pert peach of an arse. John chuckled across the table, and I shot him a wry look.
“She’s trying to kill me.”
My friend flashed a wide grin. “But what a way to go.”
I chuckled and followed Maia out of the booth.
“I’m dancing too.” Beth waved at John to let her out.
Ainsley nodded. “And me.”
Callan snorted. “I guess we all are, then.”
“Nah. I’ll stay here.” John let Beth out, eyeing the table of women across from us. One of them, an in-your-face stunning blond, was eyeing him right back.
“Enjoy!” I winked at him and followed Maia down the stairs. I hurried to keep up with her because even though she traversed them like a pro in her sky-high heels, she’d had three cocktails.
As soon as we hit the floor, I put my hands on her hips. She glanced over her shoulder up at me, her eyes bright enough that I knew she was tipsy but not drunk. Heat shot through me as she started popping her hips from side to side as she guided me in a dance-walk into the middle of the crowded dance floor. Just as I was turning her to face me, a strange woman pushed into my personal space, literallyshoving Maia away so she could thrust her fingers into my hair.
“You cut it!” The unfamiliar blond pouted drunkenly as she pressed her body to mine.
I didn’t know this woman. She’dshovedMaia. There were probably camera phones coming out as we stood there. Wondering how to extricate myself as quickly as possible, I didn’t have time to figure it out. She was not so gently thrust aside.
By a seriously pissed-off Maia. “Do you know her?”
I shook my head, worried about where this was going.
Maia turned to the blond who staggered to right herself. “You do not touch strangers without their permission. You do not shove me, and you do not touch him.”
“Fuck,” the blond whined, stumbling. “Shorry. Jusht a Caley fan is all.” She turned away to start dancing again.
