“What did you say your name was?” he asks, interrupting my mental cataloging.
I clear my throat. “I didn’t.”
His eyes twinkle behind his mask, and one eyebrow arches up over the top of it, like he’s waiting for me to say more. I don’t, and something fiery passes through his gaze, like he’s recalibrating, but also like he respects my coyness. I’ve never considered myself particularly coy. Most people deem me standoffish.
“What should a person call you, then?” He leans in and points at himself. “Specifically, a person who swooped in during your time of need, at a moment when you obviously were desperate for saving from the sort of uncomfortable, prying questions well-meaning strangers tend to lob at beautiful women.”
I suck in a sharp breath. It’s been a long time since anyone offered me a compliment. TJ is smooth, I’ll give him that. I open my mouth to respond, but he holds up a hand to stop me.
“You know what? I take it back.”
My stomach gives an uncomfortable lurch. Did he decide I actually wasn’t beautiful? Or am I such poor company that he’s already going to excuse himself from the conversation before it’s even begun? That’s not so good for a girl’s ego.
“Take what back?”
“You don’t look like the kind of woman who needs saving.”
I tip my head to the side. If he only knew the mess I’ve made of my life, he would take that back … again.
“Mostly I was looking for an excuse to talk to you,” he admits with an adorably boyish shrug.
There’s something refreshing about TJ’s openness. I don’t know him at all, but I’m drawn to the uninhibited way he’s carrying on this conversation. Even though he’s wearing a mask, it feels like he’s laying all his cards on the table. No games. No pretenses. A straight shooter. It makes me want to be that way in return … at least, to an extent.
“Alright then, Mr. Football Player. You’re talking. I’m talking. So can I tell you a secret?”
“Obviously, yes.”
“I didn’t come here looking for saving, but I did come here looking for something else.”
He leans in. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve got one night to have fun. To not think about who I am when I take this mask off. I need to pack a lot of experiences into the next”—I check the giant clock that hangs on one sideof the Atrium—“two hours. I need to come away from tonight with inspiration that’ll last me a lifetime. Think you can help me with that?”
“Oh. I am definitely your man.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I fire back.
TJ’s eyes twinkle beneath his mask. “I like a challenge.”
“Good. I just have one simple rule.”
“Name it.”
“No personal questions allowed.”
I’m pretty proud of myself for coming up with that one on the spot. It feels like a good safeguard to have in place. TJ crosses his arms over his chest. I wait for the fabric to rip, because he’s really testing the limits with those muscles.
“You in, or not?” I say it so boldly I can hardly believe myself. I donottalk to men like this. I do not talk toanyonelike this. I’m not direct. Except I guess tonight, I am.
“Oh, I amabsolutelyin.” He reaches forward and collects my right hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips, holding my gaze as he lingers over the kiss for an extra second before shooting me a grin and tugging me toward the staircase I descended earlier. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 4
Lucy
TJ weaves us in and out of tables like he dodges things for a living. Maybe he does. I really should have brushed up on football before attending this gala.
A couple of guys whistle in our direction.
