My heart just stopped beating. I’m sure I’ll keel over in the floor any second now. When she finally looks at me, the pain in her eyes is so evident, I almost wish I would just fall over.
“I can’t pretend that I only want you as a friend. I meant when I said I don’t do one night stands or friends with benefits though. If you think you want anything more than friends with me, you have to be sure because I can’t do this back and forth anymore. Decide whatyoureally want, Luke, and do it soon….or I’ll make the decision for you and it’ll be final.”
Well, shit. Did she just really give me an ultimatum?
“If you only want a friend, that’s fine. I will be friends with you but nothing else. No flirting. No touching. No more mixed messages.Just friends. And I’ll move on. Just….decide.”
I nod and before I cansay anything in response, the flirty waitress returns, much more subdued this time since Andi embarrassed her, and places our dinners in front of us. We somehow make it through the meal with idle conversation and go back to the club together. Several of our friends are already there and we make our way through the crowd to join them at our usual table. Just as we sit down, I look up and saw Brandon moving through the crowd towards us.
Isn’t this night just getting better and better? Yeah, because he wasn’t even looking at me. He is making a beeline for Andi.Ah, hell no!Andi sees him and stands to hug him and I can’t withhold my sarcasm.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”
Andi, sweet as ever, keeps her eyes on Brandon and says, “Have a seat!” So, of course, the bastard sits in the empty chair beside Andi, forcing me to lean up and look around her to see him.
“What are you doing here, Brandon?” I demand rudely.
“Alicia mentioned Andi was singing tonight and we wanted to hear her,” Brandon answers coolly, not even bothering to take his eyes off Andi while he answers me.
“We? Who iswe?” I ask sardonically before I see Alicia and her husband, Greg, making their way to our table. Shane and Will grab a couple of chairs for them and I make introductions all around the table.
I make the stupid mistake of removing my hand from the back of Andi’s chair and Brandon’s arm quickly takes up the empty space. I take Andi’s hand in mine and ask, “Dance with me?” She nods and I shoot Brandon a warning look as I stand up.
A slow song comes on when we get to the dance floor and I pull her in tight against me, brushing a kiss on her cheek. I feel a small shudder run through her as her body molds into mine. We start moving with the music and I tighten my arms around her just a little more.
“Andi,” I murmur in her ear then pull back so she will look me in the eye. She looks up at me from under her long lashes, with a hint of shyness about her that sends a sudden protective impulse through me.
Before I can say anything else, someone comes up and taps Andi on the shoulder, “You’re up in ten minutes.”
Andi nodsat the rude moment-stealer and looks back at me. “You ready for this?”
I nod at her and look around the club as she takesmy hand to lead me backstage.Holy hell – there are a lot of people here tonight!
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CHAPTER NINE
ANDI
I’m not over-analyzing why Brandon is here. Or why Luke seems so pissed about why Brandon’s here. I’m not even going to think about what Luke was about to say when Mitch came up to tell me my song is coming up soon. I’m just going to get in character, sing my song, and have fun with a bunch of great people tonight.
I will not think about how seductive this song is or how my body will react to singing it to Luke in front of the entire club.
I will not think about it.
I will not.
Shit, that’s all I can think about.
I lead Luke backstage and show him to the dressing rooms since we didn’t have time to do it after dinner. He doesn’t really need the dressing room since he’s already wearing his “costume,” well, except for the Lone Ranger-type mask that he’ll be wearing. I may have forgot to mention that to him before because he’s not looking real happy as I hand it to him.
“Please? It’ll work, trust me,” I console him as innocently as possible. He huffs and puffs a little but finally concedes.
His consent earns him a kiss on the cheek. “If I’d known you were going to do that, I would’ve turned my head and made you plant it square on my mouth,” he seductively chides me.
I playfully tell him to behave before adding, “Give me just a minute to change and we’ll get set up on the stage.” He nods and waits outside the dressing room door for me. I may have also forgot to mention to him that I’ll only be wearing a man’s button down shirt onstage.
Yeah, I definitely forgot to mention this little fact. When I open the door and casually say, “Come on, Luke,” he quickly grabs my arm and twirls me around to face him.
