“The one that looks like a sunset. What do you think it is?”
“I’m not sure. You should ask.”
“What’s the cocktail that has all the colors of the sun setting?” Brooke inquires.
“It’s called a Catalinius Sunset. It’s made with tequila, pineapple-orange juice, agave nectar, and grenadine. It’s similar to a tequila sunrise, but with a couple of extra ingredients.”
“I’ll definitely try one of those. It sounds delicious.” She grins. I love this relaxed version of Brooke who’s enjoying the evening at the beach with my friends. It’s like a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.
She turns to me. “Are you having one too?”
“Not this time. I’ll just have a whiskey, neat, but I may steal a sip of your drink, if you’re sharing.” I wink.
“That can be arranged,” she says, squeezing my arm.
We sip our drinks and take in the crowd packed with LA celebrities and attractive women, who are fawning over Evan and Sean. A prince and a Las Vegas billionaire make perfect targets. Fortunately, for me, I’m not nearly as well-known, so I’m able to stay under the radar and focus on Brooke.
Servers move among the guests, passing out short skewers of food from the grill. We enjoy our handheld dinner as we sip refills from the bar and chat about our lives.
As we’re finishing our drinks, the music changes to something slower, so I ask. “Any chance I could talk you into a dance?”
She nods, so I take our empty glasses and set them on a nearby table. Grabbing her hands, I lead us to an open spot near the pool and pull her close. She lets out a soft murmur. I’m guessing she felt the same spark that I did.
After a minute or so, I loop her hands around my neck and wrap mine around her waist as we sway to the music.
Soon, she rests her head on my chest. I don’t want this moment to end. It feels too right.
When the song finishes and the music speeds up again, she whispers, “Thank you for this afternoon and evening. It’s beenincredible, and I don’t want it to end. But I need to go home before it’s any later.”
“I know. Let’s find Evan and Sean to say goodnight. Then we’ll contact my driver.”
I scan the crowd, eventually spotting my mates near the bar. Evan has his arm around an attractive blonde woman, and Sean is working his magic on a brunette. I shouldn’t be surprised.
Once we reach them, I say, “Sorry to interrupt. We’re going back downtown before it’s any later. Hopefully, I’ll catch up with you again while we’re all in LA.”
Sean responds, “You need to stay here tonight and go back in the morning.”
“Thanks, but we can’t,” I say, waving off the suggestion.
“You don’t have a choice. Your driver wasn’t feeling well. Food poisoning, I think. Our housekeeper is looking after him,” Sean says.
“We looked into another driver for you, but it’s too late for anyone to do the trip from here to downtown and back,” Evan adds.
I look at my two friends suspiciously, particularly, given their earlier text offers to serve as my wingmen. They appear to be serious though, so I ask, “Do you have enough space for both of us?”
“Absolutely. The guesthouse is yours.”
“Where can I sleep?” Brooke asks, a note of panic in her expression.
“There’s room for both of you in the guesthouse. That’s the only space we have left. I’m sure you two can figure something out. It’s just one night.”
“Brooke can have the guesthouse. I’ll take a sofa somewhere. It’ll be fine.”
“Sorry. You’ll both need to stay in the guesthouse. Everywhere else is taken.”
I turn to Brooke, guiding her away from them. “I’m sorry. I don’t see how we can make it back downtown tonight. Don’t worry. I’ll sleep on the floor or a sofa. We’ll make it work.”
“It’s okay. This isn’t your fault.”
