I warred with myself, wondering if I should share those intense moments with the table. But the longer the seconds stretched on between Addison’s words, the surer I was that it wasn’t something they needed to know.
“So, if there is, see where it leads. If not, move on. Now, you still haven’t answered the question,” Addison prodded. “Are you interested?”
I thought about how Maverick made my knees weak and my spine tingle. And about the unfinished drama with Trey. But more than all the reasons I could think of, and more prevalent than my carnal urges, the most potent emotion I felt was a soul-deep need.
The need for someone to see me.
The need to be desired.
“I’m notnotinterested.” That response was pitifully lacking, but it was the first time I’d voiced my wants aloud, and that had to count for something, right?
“Talk about a non-answer,” Addison said, lightly elbowing me in the arm.
“Ugh. I know. Okay. Fine. I’m interested, and I’d like to see where this goes. If he’s amenable, of course.”
“Well, it’s obvious there’s chemistry, and definitely no harm in taking things slow,” Brooke said. “I’ve been working at TriVolt for a while now, and one thing I can tell you is that Maverick never decides on a course of action without weighing both sides. So maybe you can take the initiative and show him what he’s been missing?”
“So, my options are a pitiful attempt at flirting or sliding up to him and sticking my tongue down his throat. I don’t know what’s worse.”
They laughed at my turmoil, causing people at the tables around us to turn and stare. I chuckled nervously and released a sharp exhale, glancing around until the patrons focused back on their friends.
“You don’t have to jump right to tonsil-hockey, but it’s definitely an option,” Emma said, looking toward the bar.
I followed her gaze and met Maverick’s eyes. He pursed his lips and arched a brow, crossing his arms before slowly turning in the opposite direction.
“This was a bad idea. Clearly, I’m experiencing some early onset perimenopausal symptoms that have turned my brain to grape jelly. Let’s forget about this discussion, please.”
“Stop overthinking,” Addison said, smacking her palm on the table. “We could keep sitting here, talking in circles about how you feel or what we think is going on in Maverick’s skull, but it won’t make a damn bit of difference if someone doesn’t make a move. At least with rejection—not that Maverick would do that—you’d know where you stand.”
“Ugh. Stop making sense.”
“Never. Now, should we dance, ladies? Show our men how lucky they are to have us? Maybe help Mina and Summer find a warm body to press against?”
“I will say one thing, though. Not that I have a problem returning interest if he shows it, but I was married to a man I had to emotionally coach every step of the way. And I refuse to enter into another relationship where I have to do that again.”
“Hear, hear,” Mina said, squeezing my shoulder. “Never chase someone. Forcing them to feel something beyond their emotional intelligence never ends well. Now, let’s dance.”
Emma and Brooke smiled while Jenna shook her head vigorously before taking her glasses off and cleaning them on her blouse.
“I’ll keep watch over those tater tots. Until I get this baby weight off, the only thing my body does is jiggle.”
“Oh, stop it,” I said, leaning across the table to clasp Jenna’s arm. “You are not supposed to look the same after having a baby.”
“Yeah. You’re even hotter now,” Addison said. “And for as much as Maverick has stared at Summer, Mark has been making googly eyes at you all night.”
“Yeah,” Emma giggled. “I thought Miller and I were bad, but it’s nothing compared to how Mark has been eye fucking you.”
I laughed, shaking my head as Emma turned to me and winked.
“Right then, ladies. Down those drinks and let’s dance!” Addison stood and grabbed her Cosmo, finishing the cocktail, then turning and scanning the neighboring tables. She spotted the white-blond hair of her fiancé, Simon, and beckoned him closer with her index finger.
Emma, Brooke, and Jenna did the same to their men, while Mina and I shrugged, following the group to the dance floor. I caught Maverick’s eye as we walked, and he tilted his head, his gaze following me until I stopped at the edge of the floor, taking in the couples. Mina and I gravitated toward one another, staying on the edge of the dance floor, reluctant to disappear into the fray.
Before long, the music had quieted the nonsense in my head, allowing me to enjoy the evening without consequences.
Chapter 16
Time slipped away,and we danced to song after song, making up obscene lyrics and giggling madly, until I was set upon by a squid in human clothing calling itself Charles.
