His words send a blush over my cheeks, and I duck my head. What has gotten into me tonight? Are these amaretto sours more potent than I thought? Why am I flustered by a simple compliment?
I clear my throat, looking back up at Gavin. “So, is this your first time in New York City?”
“Not by a long shot. I make it out here at least once a year, sometimes more.”
“Work?”
He nods. “Always work.”
Healmostsounds sad about that, but then I remember how much he enjoys what he does, so maybe he isn’t sad at all. Maybe he’s lonely, like me.
“And you? Is this your first time?” he asks.
“Not by a long shot,” I echo with a grin. “I live here actually. Not in the city, but not too far away either.”
“That’s—”
A group of guys stumbles into the bar, their raucous conversation drawing nearly everyone’s attention, including ours. They’re wearing hockey jerseys, and with the way just about all of them are swaying on their feet, I assume they were at the game earlier.
“And then you should have seen that fucker from Seattle. He wassopissed. Put his glove in Reiner’s face, and it was all bets off. Fucking yard sale out there,” one of the guys says, throwing punches into the air, mimicking what I guess happened at the game.
I wouldn’t know. Despite my family trying to get me into it over the years and Reed playing, I never developed an interest, so I skipped out on the game and stayed in my hotel room until I couldn’t take the silence anymore.
“Anyway,” I say, turning back to Gavin, “you were?—”
“Do you want to get out of here?” he asks abruptly.
I pause, surprised by his words.
“Sorry. I know that sounded like a line or something.” He runs a hand through his hair with a soft laugh. “It’s just getting a little rowdy and I’m enjoying talking to you and I figured…” He trails off, slipping from his stool and holding his hand out my way. “What do you say, love?”
I stare up at his towering height. His broad shoulders, long legs, and toned arms. That short beard that’s doing things to me it shouldn’t be doing and those damn hazel eyes I can’t stop looking at. I shouldn’t. I should go back to the hotel and meet up with my parents. Say hi to my brother and his girlfriend. I should do anything other than say yes to leaving with this man I don’t know.
But I can’t bring myself to say the words or turn him down. So, I don’t. I slip my hand into his and let him pull me into the night.
CHAPTER 3
LOCKE
The vibe of the party shifts instantly. Hutch stares at his stepsister—the one we’ve only ever heard is evil—and Auden rubs at his back while her other hand rests on her belly. Nobody else moves, though, and it’s clear we aren’t exactly sure what to do. It’s like we’re out on the ice, waiting for our captain’s instructions.
Or at least everyone else is. I’m still too damn busy staring atVanessa. Hutch’sstepsister—hisevilstepsister, apparently.
I can’t believe… This can’t be the same person he’s talked about. My Nessa can’t be his Vanessa. That night in New York proved to me otherwise. She was sweet. She was funny. Sure, she was feisty as hell, but she was so much more than that too.
“Well, this is awkward.”
I guess not all of us are struck stupid after all. Hayes groans at Lawson, and Keller reaches over and smacks him upside the head.
“Shut the heck up,” he barks at our team’s golden retriever.
Any other time, I’d acknowledge that Keller just censored himself around the little ears listening in and make fun of him for it, but I don’t. I amstilllooking ather. Willing her torecognize me. To say something. To show meanythingto prove our night wasn’t all in my head.
But she doesn’t.
“Surprise?” she says hesitantly to her brother.
Hutch laughs humorlessly. “That’s one damn way to put it.”
