She arches a brow. “I don’t think so. That boy was looking at you like you were the only woman in the room.”
“I’m sure you’re wrong.”
“Wanna make a bet? Ten bucks says he makes a move on you tonight.”
“Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack. You better be nice to him, or you’ll break his heart.”
“I doubt that, though I did have a huge crush on him when I was a teenager.”
“I’ll bet. He’s a good lookin’ guy.”
“Want to know a secret?”
“What’s that?”
“I know this party is for Rock’s ol’ lady, but today is Keno’s birthday, too.”
“Really?” she replies with a grin. “Hmm. I wonder if the guys know.”
The door to the restroom opens, and a woman walks out.
“Isabella, have you met Maggie?” Lola says, introducing me to the dark-haired beauty who extends her hand. “She’s my brother’s wife,” Lola continues.
“Nice to meet you,” I say.
“We’re having lunch tomorrow. You should totally come with if you’re free,” Lola says.
“Are you going with Evelyn? She already invited me,” I reply.
“Wonderful. Well, I’ll leave you to it.” She loops arms with Isabella, and they walk down the hall. I overhear Lola whisper to her.
“Guess whose birthday it is besides Evelyn’s?”
I slip in the door, wondering if maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. It sounds like that bit of news is going to spreadthrough the clubhouse in a matter of minutes. I hope Keno doesn’t kill me.
When I return to the table, Keno’s doing shots with a couple of his brothers, Utah and Baja, and Shack. A bottle of bourbon sits on the table.
Keno’s eyes meet mine. “Seems someone spilled the beans, and my brothers came to do shots with me formy birthday.”
I wince. “Sorry. I guess I let it slip to Lola.”
“Well, that explains why the entire clubhouse knows,” Utah says with a laugh.
Keno’s eyes darken. He has such an intimidating presence, but right now I feel that entire façade dropping away, like he’s letting the mask he wears slip to reveal the lonely man underneath.
The clubhouse is loud and crowded, but with his eyes on mine it suddenly feels like we are the only ones in it.
I finally tear my gaze away and clear my throat. “These parties get pretty wild, huh?”
“Any excuse for a party with this bunch. Gotta blow off steam every now and then,” Utah says.
I lean closer to Keno. “Do you like these parties?”
“Not especially.” He pours me a shot. “Here.”
“I’m not really a shot kind of girl.”
