There’s an awareness that pulses between us. Across the room—throughit.
Does she feel it too?
I think she must. I think I have my answer when her gaze finds mine across the bar once more, as though drawn to me like a magnet. And this time, it’s fraught with emotion.
“Steph,” I breathe, though she obviously can’t hear me.
She bites her lip, holding my gaze, and I know it’s due to nerves and not an attempt at seduction, but the result is the same. The semi I’ve been sporting ever since she walked in thickens, pressing painfully against the fly of my jeans.
I swallow hard and push off the bar to rise from my stool.
I need to go to her.
But Steph’s eyes flare in alarm as my movement telegraphs my intention. She takes a step back, shaking her head and mouthing the word‘No’before spinning on her heels and shoving her way through the crowd. I’m on my feet in an instant, tossing some cash on the bar and moving quickly to follow. I have to crane my neck to keep her in sight, thankful for my height as I track her blonde head weaving amongst the sea of people. She slips into a back hallway, making a right towards the bathrooms, and Imove quickly to intercept her, reaching out a desperate hand and grabbing hold of her elbow.
“No,” she says again, this time so that I can hear, as she spins angrily in my arms. She shoves against my chest with her free hand, but then she stops as the ever-present tension pulls taut between us. For a moment, we’re frozen like that, Steph’s hand pressed over my rapidly beating heart. I hold my breath, my entire body trembling under her touch as I wait to see what she’s going to do.
But she shakes her head, as though to dispel her thoughts, the feeling … and the moment is lost.
“Steph.” My voice is little more than a whisper as I cover her hand with my own.
“Don’t,” she says through gritted teeth, then again more forcefully as she presses against my chest. “Don’t.”
She’s not actually strong enough to push me away, but I go willingly—reluctantly—releasing my grip on her arm and stepping out of her personal space. I don’t go too far, though, loath to give up this first chance to be alone with her.
“I just stopped in for a quick drink after work,” she says, shaking her head again. And I’m not sure if she’s even speaking to me as she stares at a spot over my shoulder. “I just wanted to …to unwind for a bit. Not— not for—” she halts, then tries again. “I don’t—”
10
Steph
“Idon’tneedthisrightnow,” I murmur, finally managing to get the words out.
I don’t need this now … orever.
Riley stares down at me with those familiar grey eyes, and a shiver rolls through me. Not the bad kind either, damn me. And damnhimfor still having the ability to elicit such a response from me.
I’d felt those eyes. Almost from the moment I walked in tonight. Branding me, like a physicaltouch.
And, now? I can’t look away. I’m trapped by his gaze, even as the memory of the last time I stared up into these eyes stabs me in the heart.
How the hell did I even get here?
Oh, right, it was that damn text from Lucy that I should have ignored.
Lucy had recently shared that she’s expecting—the result of a one-night stand with Noah Gardner. They’d gotten drunk at Piper and Aidan’s wedding, aaaand … one thing had led to another. She’s no stranger to an alcohol fueled hook-up, but it’s relatively unheard of for the uptight Noah. Needless to say, we were all surprised.
I’ve only ever done it once myself—the drunken hook-up thing—but once was enough. And it didn’t end up staying a one-night stand for long. Circumstances changed quickly and—
I shove the thought away.
Sonot the time to go there despite how often that period of my life has been on my mind lately. It was Lucy’s news that first brought it back, but Riley’s return hasn’t helped either since it was his betrayal that ultimately drove me to do what I did that night.
Ugh!
Again, I shove the thought away, going so far as to shake my head in a physical effort to dispel it.
When Lucy’s text came through earlier announcing she’d decided to keep the baby, and that she was with Piper and a fewothers celebrating at Aroma’s, I’d felt I had to stop by at least briefly to congratulate her. Going to a bar was the last thing I wanted to do after a long day at work. I’d just closed up the library, and my bath and a book had been calling my name. But I knew Lucy had been struggling with the decision and doubting her ability to be a good mother, so I felt it was important to be there for her, to show her my support, especially given my own experience. I figured a couple of margaritas probably wouldn’t hurt either. And yes, I realize the irony of Lucy celebrating her pregnancy news at a bar when she can no longer drink, but only someone who didn’t know her would actually find it strange. She’s never needed alcohol to have a good time, even if she does enjoy it, but the woman isallabout dancing.
