“Hello ladies.” He cooed, sliding one hand into his pocket.
“Hey.”
“I wanted to formally introduce you to someone.” Callum offered, pulling his hand out of his pocket.
I saw her walking over out of the corner of my eye. She was sophistication bottled up in a petite little frame with a pixie haircut. Her dress was a black spaghetti strap v-neck.
Lizzy grabbed my arm, recognizing her immediately.
“Everlee. Lizzy. I want you to meet my good friend, Sophie.”
Lizzy was the first to step forward because she wasn’t tainted by the fact Sophie was Callum and the guy’s ex-lover. She threw her hand out to shake Sophie’s. “Oh my. I. What?” Lizzy glanced at me, then back to Sophie. “I’m sorry. Just fan-girling over here. I bought your cookbook like two years ago and,” she kissed the tips of her fingers before continuing excitedly. “And then I started watching your cooking show and your other at home show, then I saw you were in town.” She patted the air down. “Needless to say. Huge fan.”
Sophie chuckled softly. “Well, thank you. I love meeting fans.”
Lizzy thumbed both her fingers at herself. “Right here!”
I laughed because I hadn’t seen Lizzy this excited to meet someone since we got backstage passes at a Michael Bublé concert.
Sophie turned towards me. “Everlee. So happy I get to formally meet you.” She quickly glanced at Lizzy. “Callum has told me so much about you.”
I looked at Callum, wondering what in the world he could have said or if she was just being nice. He pumped his eyebrows, but I was still uncertain.
“I’ve reserved the upper floor for us tonight.” Callum said. “As well as the bar. Drink whatever you’d like.” He directed us over to one of the large semicircle booths against the wall, out of sight from the floor below.
Sophie held out her hand. “Lizzy, would you like to come to the bar with me to pick out a shot for the group?”
“Not me.” Callum said, waving his hand.
Sophie glanced at me, encouraging me to work on Callum. “Just one?” I pouted, sticking my bottom lip out, before mouthing sir.
He glared at me. “Fine. One. But that’s it.” He gave me a hard glare that told me not to push it.
I grabbed his leg and squeezed, feeling his thigh muscles flex inside his pants. Butterflies danced in my stomach and I had to look away to get ahold of myself. It felt like there was a little sex fiend nympho inside of me who’d been let out of her cage. I don’t know if it was because I had been six months celibate, or these guys, but damn. It’s like she was a scavenger looking for that dick, all bent knees, hands at the ready, flitting from one place to the other.
I watched Lizzy and Sophie at the bar. Lizzy was going on about something, and Sophie had a soft smile on her face, listening to it all. I appreciated she didn’t use her past with Callum to sway him, but instead left it to me. Like she was telling me she wasn't a threat.
I felt his cheek brush against my hair, before I felt his warm breath on my ear. “I hear you had a good time with Jax this afternoon.” There was a playfulness in his voice.
I looked back at him, our face inches apart. “What are you talking about?”
He chortled. “Your poker face is getting better, but you have to understand. For us, we share everything. We can’t afford to have secrets.” His hand ran up my spine, causing a wave of goosebumps to spread across my skin. “Did you do as Jax asked?”
I looked at him and nodded cautiously. “Good girl.” His head darted back to the girls, who were carrying drinks. Sophie handed me my shot while Lizzy gave Callum his.
“To a good time tonight and a joyous trip to visit old friends.” Sophie said.
“Here, here.” Callum said before we all tilted the shot back.
Lemon Drop shot, a Lizzy go-to.
“Oh, this is quite delightful.” Sophie said with her soft French accent.
“Oui.” Lizzy said, laughing.
“Here are your other drinks.” The bartender said, arriving with a tray of three martini glasses.
“Pineapple Cosmo.” Lizzy offered when I looked at her.
