He surveys the room and I let my eyes climb his frame, admiring his dark jeans and button-down shirt the color of red wine, sleeves rolled to the elbows, exposing his forearms. God, he’s lovely. Maybe we could sneak off upstairs while—
Whoops. Perhaps I need to dial back the tequila for a bit.
He turns back to me, slipping his hands into his jeans pockets. I’m just about to get him a drink, when Cat appears beside us on her way out. I smile, but she narrows her eyes to slits.
“Hello, Michael.”
He nods. “Catherine.”
So formal. So icy, I almost shiver. My brow knits in confusion as Cat’s gaze cuts to me.
“Alex, can I have a word, please?” She drags me towards the kitchen before I can protest. “Why did you invitehim?”
“What? I invited everyone in the building.” I scrutinize her murderous face as she shoots daggers across the room to Michael. “Why are you so annoyed? You weren’t this bothered when Agnes showed up.”
She gives a furious huff. “Yeah, but Agnes isn’t—”
“Cat?” I turn to see a tall, handsome guy weaving across the room towards us.
“Kyle!” A grin breaks across Cat’s face, all signs of animosity gone. As he reaches her side, she mutters to me under her breath, “We’ll talk about this later.” Then she beams up at Kyle as if the sun is shining out of his ass, and I watch in bewilderment as she gives me a carefree wave goodbye and sails out the door.
Well, that was bizarre. First the icy reception towards Michael, then what was all that fake cheer with Kyle?
I shake my head, wandering back to Michael, still standing awkwardly by the door. “Sorry about her.”
He wipes a hand down his face. “Why does she hate me so much?”
“I have no idea.” I analyze his features, searching for clues. Maybe she only knows the Michael I met months ago—the grumpy guy in the hallway who didn’t have a pleasant thing to say to anyone.
He clears his throat and I remember my manners.
“Let’s get you a drink.” I grab his arm, trying not to notice how strong and firm it feels as I pull him over to the drinks table. I let my hand rest on it longer than necessary, enjoying the warmth of his skin under my fingertips.
He gives me a teasing laugh. “It seems I’m a few behind you.”
I nod, pouring two tequila shots and placing both in front of him with a slice of lemon.
“You’re kidding.” A smile flits over his mouth as he eyes the shots. “You do realize I’m not as young as you. The hangovers are a lot worse at my age.”
“Come on.” I giggle and push the glasses closer to him. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s have some fun.”
My words hang in the air and he gazes at me for a moment, his eyes dancing. There’s a thrill down my spine as the space between us hums with possibility. Then Michael grabs the shots and knocks them back in quick succession, biting the lemon. Fuck, I would do anything to take that out of his mouth with my own right now.
Geoff appears beside me with a mischievous grin. “Alex, who is yourfriend?”
Oh God, Geoff, I attempt to transmit telepathically.Do not embarrass me.
“Geoff, this is Michael. Michael, this is my boss at the bookstore, Geoff.”
Geoff puts a hand to his chest, pretending to look hurt.
I roll my eyes, adding, “And he’s also adearfriend.”
“Good to meet you,” Michael says, extending his hand. Geoff pounces on it with a hearty shake.
“And you, Michael. I’ve heard alotabout you.”
My cheeks grow hot, even though they’re already rosy from drinking. I elbow Geoff in the ribs, and Michael laughs while Geoff backs away, wiggling his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
