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The man seated beside me doesn’t acknowledge my arrival, and I’m okay with that, until his head tilts ever so slightly and excitement courses through me.
“Beckett?”
The hand around his glass tenses, and the veins in his skin have my jaw dropping. I stare for a beat, before shifting my focus just in time for him to turn to face me. Our eyes lock, and he visibly relaxes as recognition registers in his brow. “Lily, hi.” He takes a sip of the dark liquid filling his glass, and for some reason, I follow the movement.
“I didn’t think you drank.” I stare at him puzzled, my eyes flashing between him and the glass in his hand.
“And I didn’t think you knew me that well.”
A giggle escapes me unannounced as I wave to the server, ordering a spritzer before I respond. Oh, how wrong he is.
“You’re my best friend’s brother. I know everything.”
Beckett balks, the disgust in his expression making me laugh harder.
“I’m kidding. Henley mentioned it for the first time tonight. I promise she barely ever talks about you.”
“Barely ever?”
“Never. Not once.” I’m clearly lying, but that lie seemingly puts his mind at ease.
“Good.”
“Good. So you’re drinking alone?”
“It’s a Coke. My limit is one drink during the season.”
“Meaning you’re going to remember everything I say in the morning?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Oooh. Henley definitely didn’t mention you were funny.”
“I’m really not.” He shrugs, turning away from me again, perhaps thinking that’s the end of our conversation. Too bad I have a lot of time to kill. I have no idea when Henley will be done, so until she messages me back, I’m here. And Beckett’s the lucky one that gets to keep me company. As long as he stays.
“If you’re not a big drinker, I guess that means you’re a night owl?” I ask, tapping my nails on the counter.
“Not really.” Beckett angles his head as though watching my hand and my pulse spikes. “I needed a moment to wind down.”
“Fair enough.” I swallow, my fingers still moving. “I’m not a night owl either. I’m here because my roommate is getting lucky.”
Beckett’s gaze snaps to mine, and I slam my eyes shut, cringing as I do. Whoops. “Did I say roommate? I meant the person in the room next to us. They were keeping me awake and…by the look on your face you don’t believe me.”
“Not even slightly.”
“Shit. Sorry. I promise she’s safe. You know Hen, she’d never—”
“Please spare me the details.” He holds a hand up between us and I stifle a snort. Whoops again. Time for a topic change.
“Did you have a fun night? The party was amazing, right?”
“It was fine.”
“Fine. Were we at the same event? Did you see the acrobats hanging from the ceiling?”
“I did.”
“And…”
