The upbeat melody began, and the crowd began to cheer and clap. She bobbed her head and danced on the stage, wiggling her hips to the beat.
“‘Maneater’… That’s hot.” Evan stared at her on the stage, captivated. “I like her confidence.”
Marshall glared at his friend, who was completely oblivious.
“She loves eighties music, so it’s not a shocker,” Marshall said, nursing his second beer. He would switch to water after, since he was driving everyone back to the ranch.
“Yeah, but like… Do you think she’s sending me a message?” Evan arched his brows slowly as he finally noticed the glower on Marshall’s face. “Dude, what’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t know, man,” he admitted. “I feel like an asshole saying it, but I think I need you to stay away from Colette.” His hand covered his eyes in shame. Tonight was making him confront some hard facts.
Evan’s face split wide into a grin.
“Are you crushing on Colette?” he whispered, placing his hand to cover his mouth as he spoke.
“I’m not a fucking teenager and I don’t have a crush,” Marshall grumbled. “It’s just inappropriate for you to date co-workers.”
Evan’s brow furrowed and a low laugh rumbled in his chest. “Oh, I get it. I’m a full employee now. Even though I technically work on my own family’s ranch. Right.”
“Something like that, yeah.” Marshall shrugged and turned away from Evan, watching Colette on stage. She looked so fucking cute. Her curls around were a little more defined and clinging to the side of her face because she was sweating. The way her shirt clung to her body was criminal. He licked his lips as he stared.
“Earth to Marshall,” Evan said, slapping him on the shoulder.
Marshall turned. “I need you to go home with Sally tonight. Make yourself unavailable.”
Evan’s eyes widened at the words and he made a disgusted face.
“But she’s so mean,” Evan said. “She always treats me like I’m stupid.”
“Alright then, just go flirt with someone else,” Marshall told Evan. His eyes tracked Colette as she handed the microphone over to Jerry when her song ended.
Marshall leaned over and whispered in Evan’s ear. “Make it convincing. I’ll owe you one,” he said.
Pursing his lips in consideration, Evan scrubbed a hand over his face. “Okay, yes. Jessica did give me a look earlier.” Evan searched for his prey in the crowd. Little did Jessica know, she had become the target of his affections for the night. Marshall nodded in approval as Evan took his beer, leaving the table as Colette returned.
“Loved that song, Colette,” Evan said, tipping his beer in her direction.
“Are you staying to have a drink with us?” she asked, vulnerability in her eyes. Marshall almost felt guilty at the look of worry etched in her brows.
Almost.
“I’m gonna go say hi to Jessica,” Evan said, eyes darting to Marshall’s. “She’s looking super-hot tonight.”
Colette gave a soft, fake-sounding laugh and pulled her chair out.
“Cool. See you later,” she spoke softly. The way her happiness faded for a moment was barely noticeable, but Marshall caught it.
Simone turned from speaking with Roger, eyes narrow. “What was that all about?”
“Jessica asked about him earlier, and I guess he’s going to chat her up,” Marshall said with a smile and a shake of his head. “Typical Evan.” He laughed and crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair, cockier than he felt. His gaze drifted to where Colette was chewing on her plump bottom lip. Maybe he had misjudged the situation.
If Colette was really interested in Evan, his interference would upset her.
He watched as she took a pull of her beer and licked her lips.
“Should we go soon?” Marshall asked everyone at the table.
Smirking, Simone whispered something in Roger’s ear, her hand clearly touching his thigh under the table. Roger nodded, his gaze fixated on Marshall.
