I extended my hand toward the woman still perched on Mason’s thigh and smiled. “Hi, I’m Molly. I’m their manager’s assistant.”
She grasped my hand with her far-more manicured one. “Charlotte. Nice to meet you.” The smile she gave me was cautious, but not as fake as I had expected it to be.
Why would she be fake to you? You’re no threat to her.
My attention jumped to Mason. “We should head out soon.”
He nodded slowly and then placed a languid kiss on Charlotte’s cheek. Was it just me, or did she seem surprised by the act?
“You ready, Char?”
Wait, she’s coming with us?
Mason’s eyes flashed when he saw the change in my expression. “Trinity said we could bring plus ones.”
Well, great.Apparently, she didn’t think to tell me that, but I was so over the whole thing I didn’t have it in me to cross-examine Mason. “Is Kaz bringing anyone?”
“Nah.” The singer polished off the last of his beer and placed the bottle on the dining table. “I’m afraid you’ll have to keep me company,” he said, amusement and wickedness flickering in his eyes.
I made a show of rummaging inside my purse for my phone. “I’m going to order our ride.”
When the car arrived, Charlotte and Mason walked out hand in hand, with Kaz and me following behind them. I’d ordered a huge black SUV for the specific purpose of not being pressed up to any of them. Unfortunately, Kaz didn’t get the memo and climbed in beside me at the back.
“You’d be a lot more comfortable at the front,” I huffed.
“I’m good here.” He threw one long arm over the backrest and let his fingers dangle just above my shoulder.
I tried to relax, I really did, but it was nearly impossible.
My mind wouldn’t stop ruminating on the situation. Anger seeped into my chest. What was Mason’s problem? He had a gorgeous girlfriend, lived in a nice house with his best friend, and had a career that was about to take off. You’d think he’d be able to find some graciousness as far as I was concerned. Instead, he was still acting like I was contagious with a deadly disease. His refusal to hold a proper conversation with me was starting to feel drawn out and excessive.
“Are you going to let loose a bit?” Kaz asked, his voice close to my ear.
“I’m working,” I said curtly.
“Oh, yeah? What does that mean?”
I bit my tongue. Trinity probably didn’t want me to admit point-blank that I was there to supervise the guys and their dealings.
“I’m supposed to network on your behalf,” I said.
Kaz’s fingertips brushed the top of my left shoulder. “Then what are we supposed to be doing?”
“The same thing. You can never meet too many people, can you?”
He chuckled, a low, deep sound that plucked at something beneath my skin. “I wouldn’t know. Mason’s more the networking type. At parties, I usually grab a drink, find a quiet corner, and watch people do things they’ll regret in the morning.”
“How do you know they’ll regret it?”
“I guess I don’t.” Another brush over my bare skin. “Maybe that’s just what I tell myself to feel better about not participating.”
I forced myself to slide lower, putting myself out of his reach. “So you want me to let loose while you stand in your corner and watch?”
“Maybe I want you to draw me out of it.”
I met his gaze, my breath hitching when I saw the clear interest in his eyes. I was a new game he wanted to play, that much was obvious. But I could handle his provocations.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
