twelve
The boy she called Slow stands up. “Phil Slowski. Pleasure to meet you.” His shoulder-length wavy curls are not normally something that would make me lose my shit, but I cannot ignore the fact that he’s obscenely gorgeous. He’s all shiny hair and jawline and smiles and hulking shoulders.
“Tell her your real name!” Mary Ann yells out with tipsy delight. “Your full name!”
Slowski groans as he shakes my hand. “Seriously? Fine,” he says with a sigh-and-eye-roll combo. “Phillip Stanislos Wachowski.”
“But does he look like a Phil? Nope. So, we turned his big ol’ name into Slowski. Such a cutie.” Her attempt at a whisper is a colossal failure.
When Phil stands, Mary Ann turns away to hide her audible reaction. There’s no way that I can blame her for the way she takes a sharp breath, but I put out a hand and coolly introduce myself. “Callie. So nice to meet you as well.”
“And this is Matteo. Also hot,” Mary Ann says in another non-whisper. “But you and I are not his type, unfortunately. And not because he’s Italian and his mom is dying for him to marry another Italian.”
Matteo is indeed hot. Olive skin and brown hair that is styled so perfectly and clearly so effortlessly, a sharp jaw, and a brilliant smile. Also,shoulders, which is obviously a trend in this guy group. Not that I’m complaining. All the manual labor pays off.
“It’s true,” he says with a lovely accent. “We will not end up in a romance, but I’m sure you already have too many of those, yes?”
I laugh. “Not even close, but I like your positivity.”
After the second gorgeous one has introduced himself and buys us all tequila shots, Danny winks at me when he passes his off to Slowski.
He’s keeping his promise.
I almost duck when I spot Ray the butcher and Jackson from Finley’s Minis shop, but their friendly waves make me reciprocate.
Pitchers of cheap beer abound, and then the music amps up until we’re all on the dance floor in this tiny bar. At first, it’s all about us jumping around, being silly and fun, but then the music slows, and our mood collectively follows.
“Ma’am?” Slowski gestures for a dance and then takes me into his arms, respectfully and sweetly, not pushing for anything, simply being friendly, which I appreciate.
And especially because I’m busy watching how Danny holds Mary Ann with such care. The way he cradles her, kisses her cheek, makes her laugh. She might lust after Slowski, but she’s obviously with this seemingly perfect boy.
Danny glances up at me. I meet his eye contact before looking away.
He’s not available. And I’m only here for a heartbeat, I remind myself.
When we’re all danced out, Mary Ann leads me to the bar and hops onto a stool. “Is Slow not everything? He’s so goddamn sexy. His father is Polish, and his mom is Japanese. It’s apparently the best genetic combination. I mean, look at him.”
“Um, okay, yes. I totally agree that he couldn’t be hotter. But I mean, what about Danny?”
“What about him?”
“Hello? Yourboyfriend, Danny?”
“What?” she nearly shrieks. “What in the hell? Danny?” It’s about all I can do to stop myself from clapping my hand over her mouth. “What? I could never have any kind of a thing with Danny. Oh my God, no. Never.”
It takes me a moment to reply. “I just assumed you guys were together.”
It’s only after she orders us tequila shots, which she makes us down, and after she leans forward and lets her curls cover her face that she replies, “I needed a shot after that hilarity. Do you know how Danny and I met? Probably not. God, I didn’t even have to ask him not to tell anyone. That’s so perfectly, beautifully him.” She smiles. “Let’s go outside. I need air.”
Danny’s watchful gaze follows us, but I nod that all is okay. She’s very buzzed but so, so wanting to talk.
After we’re seated on one of the benches, she inhales the night air and giggles. “So, no, Danny is not my guy. Not my boyfriend.”
“But he’ssomething, right?” I offer.
“Yes, he’s something.” Her demeanor grows serious. “A big something. Danny didn’t tell you how he and I met?” she asks again. “How we became friends?”
“No. I mean, I’ve only been here a few days. And you don’t have to tell me anything.”
