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That had me feeling some kind of way, but it didn’t mean there was a future for us. I was still in the closet, for God’s sake, and he was this accomplished, well-respected guy who could have anyone he wanted. I…was still in college. I wasn’t exactly a good bet.
“I appreciate that, but we’re just seeing how this goes,” I said. I didn’t need to point out all my faults—she already knew them.
Her expression softened. “Okay, well, just be careful. I’m here if you need me.”
“Just not for the dirty details.”
“Especiallynot for the dirty details. That’s what you’ve got these morons for.”
A laugh escaped my throat. “Yes, I do.”
“Speaking of your morons, think they’d be up for drinks outside of Daire’s dungeon of doom?” She waggled her brows as she took my hand, pulling me back to the crowd in the kitchen.
“Hmm, let me think. If it’s between staying here and helping a miserable Gavin unpack or hitting up a club, I’m pretty sure they can be convinced.”
“And you, Mr. Abernathy? Can you be convinced, or do you have, uh…somewhere else to be?”
There she went again, with her teasing eyes and that knowing stare. “I think tonight I’m going to hang out with my best friend.”
“Damn right you are.” She turned around just as we reached the kitchen and aimed a look at the guys now staring at her. “All right, boys, go put on your sluttiest outfits. We’re gonna get East laid tonight.”
Yep, that’s my girl.
TWENTY-NINE
archer
“AH, IF NOT the office, then the Elysium, if not the Elysium, then the office. And around we go.”
Benoit made quite the entrance as he leaned against the doorway in a long, oversized fur jacket that I was hoping was faux, but with him, I never knew. Whatever it was, it wasn’t exactly the right attire for helping out with the final touches for the Winter Ball taking place this weekend.
As it was, we were at capacity with volunteers anyway, which was why I’d told Preston he didn’t have to force his friends to help out. Not that I didn’t want to see him, but with three days until the event, I couldn’t lose focus, and Preston was the ultimate distraction.Benoit and his social agenda came a distant second.
I shook my head at my friend as I checked a delivery of crystal glasses and pointed them in the direction of the dining manager for drop-off. “Yet somehow you always manage to make an appearance. You must be bored, because I know you didn’t come here to help.”
“I don’t mind getting my hands dirty for charity,” he said, kicking up his chin. “Ruining my outfit for my ungrateful peers is where I draw the line.”
I eyed his coat again before looking back at my checklist. “Yes, God forbid you do that. What a tragedy.”
“Exactly. And the fact that you know my hard and soft limits is why I’m here.”
“Limits? This is starting to sound like a conversation we should be having in private. Preferably over drinks.”
“Mon ami, if I thought you had time for a Manhattan, I wouldn’t be standing here, begging for your help.”
“This is what you consider begging? Your partners must be so disappointed.”
He swept a hand over the fur covering his chest, stroking it. “I’d never leave an encounter anything other than completely satisfied, which, I admit, is the dilemma that’s brought me to you tonight.”
“And that is?”
“Well, a former paramour of mine has arrived in the city for several days. Completely unexpected, of course—you know I’d never plan these things.”
“No, never.”
“And while I don’t usually encumber myself with anything complicated like a night of passion that stretches into several long, tangled-in-the-sheets days?—”
“That’s unfortunate.”
