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The women claim a table near the railing while the men settle several feet behind us at a curved booth positioned to give them a clear view of the entire club.
Even on a night out, they never stop watching.
Never stop threatening.
Never stop protecting.
I take the empty seat beside Scarlett while Madeleine and Alina settle across from us. Almost immediately, a waiter appears to take our drink orders, and after the others tell him what they want, I let him know I’m all set.
The waiter nods and disappears.
Scarlett tilts her head, long strands flowing over her shoulders. “Are you sure?” Her gaze flicks toward the men. “The guys are right there and won’t let anything happen to us.”
“No, it’s okay.” I smooth a hand down the dark brown wig covering my hair. Combined with the fake glasses perched on my nose, the disguise is simple enough to keep unwanted attention away. At least, that’s the plan. “Thank you for inviting me. I’ve never really done this before.”
“A bachelorette party?” Scarlett smiles. “I don’t know if I’d call this a real bachelorette party when the guys are sitting only twenty feet away from us, acting like they’re our personal bodyguards.” She laughs, tucking her long blonde strands behind her ear. Lifting one shoulder, she says, “Although Leo did promise they’d be on their best behavior.”
Madeleine snorts. “Yeah, just like last time.”
Alina immediately chuckles. “First, that didn’t count as a bachelorette party because you know who was there when she secretly wanted to kill you. And second, in Eli’s defense, the man did put his hand on you, so it was fair game to kick his ass.”
Across the room, I catch Alex watching our table, and my attention drifts from the conversation. The low lighting softens his features, but it does nothing to hide the intensity in his gaze.
And I find myself liking it a little too much.
“No.” I wring my hands together on the table. “I meant a night out with friends.” I let my lips curve into a nervous smile. “I’ve never really had them before.”
Scarlett’s eyes gloss over, and she bumps shoulders with me. “I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re really glad you’re here.”
On cue, the waiter returns with a tray of drinks. One by one, he places them on the table before disappearing back into the crowd.
Alina lifts her glass. “Let’s toast to that.”
Madeleine and Scarlett follow suit, but then Madeleine frowns. “Wait.” Her gaze lands on the space before me. “You don’t have a drink.”
“Yes, she does.” The deep voice from behind me sends a shiver down my spine. I glance over my shoulder to find Alex with a bottle in one hand and a wineglass in the other.
My eyes zero in on the label. “Is that…?”
“The one from my cousin’s vineyard that you liked. Yes.” A slow smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I had them stock up on it here just in case.” Alex reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and produces a corkscrew. A few quick twists later, the cork gives way with a soft pop. He pours the red liquid into a glass and places it in front of me before setting the bottle beside it.
His hand settles on my exposed back, the pads of his fingers skating tenderly over my skin. Heat ignites beneath his touch, my body suddenly craving his hands all over me. “Enjoy yourselves, ladies.” Then his hand falls away, coldness creeping over me as he joins the other men.
“Holy hotness.” Alina’s eyes widen as she points her straw in Alex’s direction. “That right there has got to be one of my favorite tropes.”
“Oh, here we go.” Madeleine rolls her eyes and brings her drink to her lips.
“A trope?” I ask.
“Yeah. The nanny and the single dad,” Alina replies, a smile blooming across her face.
I look at Scarlett to clarify. “What’s a trope?”
Alina gasps, her hand landing on her chest in mock offense.
Scarlett laughs softly. “Tropes are like navigational tools to help you find what book to read next. Specifically in romance books, like enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, or…”
“The nanny and the single dad,” Alina repeats.
