“You looking for something? Or maybe someone? Maybe I can help you find it?” Holy shit, I am so bad at this. The man’s green eyes land on me, and with the eyeshadow they really pop. They’re gorgeous, and shining a bit. Running my fingers through my hair, I stand here in awkward silence.
“That’s so weird.”
“Why’s that?” I frown.
“I think I just found him.” I look around then realize . . . No shit. He’s talking about me. A slow smile spreads across his pretty lips, and yeah. Yes. I can so see myself doing this. Or doing him. Or him doing me, whichever he prefers.
He reaches his hand out to me and I take it. Warm and soft. “Bowen Zhao.” Fuck, why did I say my last name? I’m not applying for a damn job. “I mean, you don’t need my last name, I guess. That’s weird. I mean, maybe. I’m not applying for a job. I just . . . I’m—”
“Nervous.”
His kind eyes sparkle and I feel myself relax. “Very.”
He squeezes my hand. “Noah Gaitlin.”
“You can call me Bo. My best friend does.” Oh god, why am I bringing up Cam? No. No Camden thoughts. None! “I hope I’m not bothering you. You’re just . . . I mean, if you’re not here for—”
“I am here for.” He smiles wider, and those emeralds do a slow crawl over my body. Noah looks about the same height as me, but there’s definition in his arms and stomach that I definitely don’t have.
“You’re really hot. And also alone. I didn’t know if you were waiting for someone.”
“Oh, I was waiting for someone.” He sticks his tongue between his teeth teasingly.
“Oh.” I go to get up as a joke, before Noah laces his fingers around my bicep.
“Thankfully I just found him.” Noah flags the bartender down for another drink. He slides it to me and I pick it up. I clink my glass to his, ready to get things going.
This should work just fine.
Chapter 8
Bo
Noahtakesanothershot,and while we’ve paced ourselves I feel a little tipsy. He puts his pool stick down, grabbing his phone for the tenth time during this game. Maybe he isn’t having fun. “Somewhere to be?”
His eyes turn up and he shakes his head. “Oh, no. I’m having a great time.”
“What were you checking?” Fuck, that’s not my business. “Sorry. It looked like you were checking the time. If you’re not having fun it’s okay, I—” He places his hands on my shoulders, and my eyes watch his lips. They’re plump with a pinkish sheen to them. Slowly he leans into me, and I meet him halfway.
Holy shit.
Holy shit, I am kissing someone! A hot someone. Take that, Cam. Fuck. Why does my stupid brain do that? Noah kisses me slowly, and it’s nice but . . . it’s lacking the fire I felt weeks ago. That’s okay, right? It’s because I’m in love with that idiotand Noah’s a stranger. A beautiful stranger. Who’s really good at kissing.
He breaks the kiss first and I look into his eyes, feeling real nerves for the first time. No, I can do this, and Noah’s the perfect person. He seems kind, he’s gorgeous. I am going to do this. “You want to take me back to your place?”
“Oh! For like . . . sex?” I say softly, worried about the people around us. Noah laughs and it’s brilliant.
“Yes. If you want. I don’t know where you live, and we’re a little far from my house.”
“I live down the street, actually.”
“Did you drive?” He asks.
I shake my head. “I needed to clear my head. My roommate and I got into a fight.” Not a fight. Why did I say that? My attitude earlier had nothing to do with Cam and everything to do with me. Thoughts of Cam right now with that gorgeous man are threatening to bang down the door I’ve tried to shut. I have my own gorgeous man tonight.
“Roommates are the fucking worst,” he practically growls.
I laugh, grabbing my drink and downing the rest to soften my nerves. “Well, my roommate is also my best friend. I guess he’s not technically my roommate, he’s just staying with me for a bit. We’re fighting right now, though.” No we’re not! Why do I keep saying that?
