“Why?”
I opened a packet of peanut butter cookies and set them on a plate. “I have too much going on. Maybe in a few years’ time.”
“Ila. Max,” Ray flew into the kitchen, cell clutched in her hand. “Me and my girls are going over to the Slider’s, you both coming?”
I bit back the “no” that would have automatically left my mouth. “Live,”Mom had said. I’d already taken that first step, I realized, with this incredible guy beside me. “All right.”
“Yeah, sure,” Max said. “Slider’s?”
“A pub. Our old hangout.”
***
A half hour later, we walked into the pub, and some old metal song rocked the place. It was exactly as I recalled from two years before. Noisy, with many familiar faces who knew everyone’s business. Yep, life in a small town.
Some stared at me, others waved as I followed Ray to the table at the opposite side where my sister’s old school friends, Missy and Denise, waved like maniacs. A smile tugged at my mouth. Those girls were crazier than a basketful of nuts and flirted with anyone in pants.
More chairs were added to the table and intros took place. “Guys, this is my friend Max,” Ray said. “Max, that’s Denise,”—she pointed to the tan brunette with the wild, springy locks—“and the rainbow-haired one is Missy.”
“Oh, man, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Can I have you?” Missy asked, winking at Max. He merely smiled and sat beside me.
“Really, Miss?” Ray snorted. “What about that one there, with that mop of chocolate curls, huh?” She nodded to one of two dark-headed guys approaching with drinks.
“Oh, he’s my main squeeze. Leo, sweetie, you won’t mind if I take this delish man-dish of inky goodness for a trial run, would you, baby?” she asked him, taking the martini glass he handed her.
I liked Missy, but right now… Not so much.
“Then it’s only fair I have her,” he nodded at me and grinned.
Max’s smile slid off his face.
I guess we both didn’t care for that, even if it was in jest.
“Enough, you doofuses.” Ray introduced the guys. “Leo, Chris, my sister, Ila, and Max.”
They greeted me then gave Max the once-over before saying, “Hey.” They appeared to know who he was.
The conversation flowed, Max shifted, and as his thigh pressed against mine, the tension in him seemed to ease.
Ray, seated on my other side, lifted her hand, and a waiter appeared. “A Heineken, a white wine spritzer, and a vodka tonic, please.”
“Your friends finally found boyfriends, why not you?” I asked Ray.
“Because I haven’t met anyone that makes me want to change my mind. The males of the species, I found, are either cheats, drunks, or skirt-chasers. And a general pain in the ass.”
Leo laughed, pulling Missy close. Chris protested. “Ouch, that’s a little harsh, Ray.”
Max said nothing. He just folded his arms over his chest.
“You two have yet to prove yourselves.” Obviously, Ray was on friendly terms with the guys. “Anyway,” she continued, “I don’t have time to pamper their fragile egos. My studies are more important, and I have plans for my future. When I eventually need them for sperm, I’ll find a suitable donor. For now, nope. Come on, Max, let’s dance.”
As he rose, his gaze met mine briefly before he followed Ray onto the DJ-manned dance floor, where a small, frenzied crowd of dancers took up space as another song with a faster beat started. Right, Friday was 80s night.
I sipped my drink and tried not to stare. Even though Max’s movements weren’t as energized as my sister’s, he looked really hot gyrating to the beat ofFunky Town.He smiled at something Ray yelled, and a warm feeling unfurled deep inside me.Iwanted to be the one on the dance floor with him, be in his arms. My heart tripped. No. We’d made a pact. Max was my stepping-stone back into the world of the living.
“Come on.” Chris pulled Denise along to the floor. Leo glanced at Missy. “You want to?”
“Nah, maybe later.” She braced her arms on the table. “Please tell me you’re doing the henna stall at the fair again?”
