Andrew stepped around, catching my eyes and dazzling me with a heart-melting smile.
“I meant to say whatever you did is nice. Maybe it’s your wet hair, or I don’t know, but you look more beautiful…” He cleared his throat. “Sexy.”
His cheeks flamed with color. Oh god, this confident man blushed when he complimented me. That was way too cute. Would it be too much if I squished his face between my hands and kissed him?
“Brandon is a drinker, so he’ll be in the bar right about now. So…” Andrew bit his bottom lip as his eyes swept over me. Oh, Jesus, I knew where this was heading.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “No.”
“You could distract him while I sneak into his room.” He grinned. “Would you?”
“You’re good at reading signs.” I pointed at my annoyed expression. “What does this mean?”
“I’m not asking you to sleep with him,” he said with a playful tone. “Just flirt a bit.”
Maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal to chat with someone. But what would I say? I couldn’t think of a single time I’d intentionally toyed with someone. Sure, I flirted during a conversation, because it was a natural reaction of one human to another when there was attraction, but how to flirt on purpose? Loop my hair around a finger and bat my eyelashes? Better not. Or I’d appear I was a few clowns short of a circus.
My stomach twisted in the same sickening way as it did when Jeff slid his hand on my thigh and asked me to go to his room with him. Would Andrew have asked me to do this if he’d known the story? Probably not.
“Fine.” I jabbed my finger into Andrew’s hard chest. “But if he touches me or does something I don’t like, I’m not responsible for my actions.” I grabbed my purse.
“Adriana.” Andrew wrapped his hand over my forearm, stopping my hand and reaching for the doorknob. “Promise me that at any moment you don’t feel comfortable, you’ll walk away, and find me.”
I didn’t feel comfortable now but I wanted to help, so I had to do it. “I promise.”
ChapterTwelve
The restaurant had a bright and inviting area with a white stone and weathered wood bar stuffed to the brim with various liquors. High-top tables and standard tables spilled into the open outdoor terrace. Many people were lounging inside and even more outside. No Richard or Brie in sight.
“Pretty busy,” I said, searching for my target. Which one was Brandon? I secured my braid with the black tie that I wore on my wrist. A red mark left by the tie on my skin stung, and I rubbed it nervously, then my fingers found the bracelet and turned it, gently pressing on the stones.
“You ready?” Andrew’s hand was on my lower back, his breath a warm flutter against my neck.
Nope.
“Yep.”
“Brandon’s wearing a blue polo shirt and staring at his phone. Keep your phone close. I’ll call you when I’m done or if I need more time.”
Brandon was of medium build, with wavy brown hair, and glasses. He was cute enough, maybe even resembled Ryan Reynolds. I liked Ryan. I could do it.
I stepped out of the view of the bar, my skin cold from where my wet hair had left the fabric damp. “What do I say to him?”
Andrew gaped at me. “I don’t know. Whatever you say when you want to start a conversation with a guy you like.”
“But I don’t like him. And usually, guys approach me and start to chat.”
“Great.” Andrew smiled wide. “Then use whatever they’ve said to you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Hmm, that should be easy.” I tapped a finger on my chin as if I was thinking hard. “Should I say ‘Are you a bank loan? Cuz you have my interest.’ or ‘If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d putUandItogether.’”
Andrew’s lips pressed into a tight line, his face expressing marginal annoyance.
“Or wait, here is my favorite of all time.” I folded my arms like a genie. “‘Well, here I am. What are your other two wishes?’”
“There are my love birds,” William said, coming toward us.
Not funny, William. I shot him a look.
