“What? Your Monday night special doesn’t seem to mind.”
“Oh my god, do youcallyour hookups that?” I asked, laughter spilling out. “Luca, that is … wow.”
Mack laughed, a bit hesitant. I could tell she was trying to gauge my feelings, and god, she was the best friend ever. I met her eyes, grinning.
“Tuesday night temptation, Wednesday wonder,” Tamara said, arching her brows. “The ladies know what we’re getting with him. One night, that’s it, but it’s worth it.”
“Good to know.” I moved to stand next to Callum. “Four shots of whatever is closest to you.”
“’Atta girl.” She grabbed a bottle of rum and poured us shots. I felt more than heard Luca standrightbehind me. His hips came up to the middle of my back, and his powerful thigh pressed into my side, his presence overwhelming me in a strange, wonderful way. For a hot second, I wondered about how he’d be in bed.
Attentive? Selfless? Focused? Heat rushed me head to thighs, and I cleared my throat. Eric hadn’t been bad in bed, but he wasn’t amazing, and based on how friendly Tamara was with him, Luca had to beamazing.
Callum leaned closer to me, his breath hitting my face. “Where is he?”
“Back right.” I’d definitely seen him when we’d walked in, but Tamara distracted me enough that I hadn’t looked back. I wasn’t sure if he’d seen me. But now that the reason we were here dominated the conversation, my nerves returned full force. My fingers shook against the bar as I tapped them over and over.
“Dude with the hat and the girl?”
“Yes.” I exhaled, thankful Tamara slid the glasses our way. Without waiting for the others, I took mine and downed it. The welcomed burn continued down my throat, and I wiggled my hips.Shit.I forgot Luca wasrightthere, and with my movement, he stiffened. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re fine.” He gripped my hip now, his other hand taking the shot. “Come on. Let’s sit.”
He squeezed my hip once then released me. He held out a hand, and I stared at it, blinking away any uncertainty. I had to sell this. I flashed him a smile and stared up at him. The same intense look I’d grown used to was there, his eyes narrowed and his jawline sharp as hell. I took his hand, and he interlocked our fingers. None of the weird, mitten-holding of hands. Heheldmy hand, and for some reason, that was hot?
“Okay, lovers, what are we doing? Dancing? Darts?” Callum moved to the beat just as a group of girls spotted him. He groaned. “Walking temptations.”
“You never turn it off, do you?” Mack asked.
“Never, baby.” He gave Mack a heated look, running his hand over his jaw. He then smiled bashfully at me and winced. “Mom, can I go play with them? Please?”
“Oh my god,” I said, laughing. “Yes.”
“You’ll be okay?” He flicked his eyes to Luca.
“What the fuck, man?” Luca asked.
“I was gonna come here with her without you, and you have your growly, grump face going on, so I wanna make sure she’s comfortable.” He held out a fist, and I bumped it. “Don’t wait for me.” He cupped his boobs. “There’s a ninety percent chance I won’t be coming home.”
My lip quirked, and soon enough Callum strode off, leaving me, Mack, and Luca. My fingers were still interlocked with his large ones. “Should we—”
“Shit, he’s staringhard.” Mack narrowed her eyes, her grip on the table tightening. “Don’t turn around, Lo.”
“What’s he doing?” I asked.
“Frowning at you two.” Mack tapped the side of her lips. “Honestly, this is great, you flirting with Monroe. His reputation precedes him, and clearly Eric knows about him. His face is red.”
This is so messed up.Why had I ever thought this was a good idea? Pretending to be over everything? Moving on? My stomach rolled with discomfort, and I let go of Luca’s hand. The absence of the heat startled me.
“What’s wrong? You tensed.” Luca bent forward, a familiar frown on his face. He lowered his head so we were eye to eye. “Do I make you uncomfortable?”
“What? No.” I brushed my hair over my ears, a huge rock forming in my gut. Eric was watching us! What did that mean? Was he still looking? God, why did I care? That made no sense. He’d treated me poorly at the end and hadn’t communicated what I meant to him the entire time. “It’s this situation.”
Mack sighed. “Eric played her, bad. Lied about their relationship, said it was casual the whole time and nothing serious even though it was almost a year. Told her baseball was more important, and if she wanted to continue being a fuck buddy, he’d let her, but he couldn’t do more.”
“Jesus, Mack.” I glared at her. “Laying all my business on the table.”
“Forgive me for kinda wanting Grumpy McGee to beat his ass.”
