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“No, do you?”
“Yes.”
Violet winked at him, the action comfortable and disarming. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Damn, it was one thing to be attracted to her, but to actually like her and enjoy the way she surprised him made her hard to resist.
She raised her cup to her lips, her eyes closing. When she lowered it again, she licked her lips and sighed. “So much better.”
“What did you get?” he asked.
“Wine. Want a sip?”
She held the cup out to him, and all he could do was shake his head. Why the hell couldn’t he look away from the bridge of her nose, where a dozen or so small freckles kissed her skin? He had never thought freckles were sexy before, but on her they were irresistible.
She was getting to him. He had let his guard down, been charmed by her despite his reservations, and he was confused as hell. Was she just being an outrageous flirt? A tease?
He needed to put some distance between them. Because he wasn’t sure letting her “have her way with him” was such a good idea.
“I’ve got to go,” he said suddenly.
Dean almost missed the hurt in Violet’s eyes, it was gone so fast. Best’s glare, however, stayed firmly in place. Best was so chill, always the one to razz other people and give them shit. Rarely did he get angry about anything.
“Where?” Best asked.
“Bathroom.”
“I’ll go with you.” Best gave the girls his classic player smile. “Don’t go anywhere, ladies.”
“Hey, you have ten minutes, and then no promises after that,” Tracy said.
“Fair enough.”
Dean looked toward Violet but she’d turned away, glancing around the beer garden as if searching for someone else to talk to. He couldn’t blame her; he wasn’t smooth with women when he tried, but he was an expert when it came to alienating them.
“Come on,” Best said.
Dean walked alongside him, waiting for Best to blow up. Finally, when they were out of earshot, Best snapped, “What is your problem?”
Dean wasn’t about to share his feelings with Best. They were buddies, but when it came to feelings, well . . . Best wasn’t the most sensitive listener.
“I came to listen to music, not spend all night chasing girls,” Dean said.
Best looked at him incredulously, almost bumping into a group of giggling teenagers. “Are you crazy? That is the only reason to go to a summer concert with another dude. You are my wingman; act like it.”
“Fuck off. You don’t need my help getting women.” Which was really true. If Dean left right now, he didn’t think it would take much for Best to take Tracy home.
And if Tracy went home with Best, what did that mean for Violet? Would she go home alone or look for someone else to pass the time with? The thought of her hooking up with another guy was like drinking his mother’s old-school cold remedy; it left a rotten taste lingering in his mouth.
“Dude, did you just growl at me?” Best asked.
Dean flushed. He hadn’t realized he’d made a sound. “Of course not, I was just clearing my throat.”
“Good, ’cause you know
I was just messing with you.” His explanation was quickly followed by, “But you do need some action, because I gotta tell you, lately you have been acting like a real dick. And I mean, not your normal amount of dick, but a whole bucket of dicks, and I figure it’s gotta be because you’re backed up.” Slapping Dean on the back, Best continued, “So why don’t you take Violet home, clean out your pipes, and when you come into work on Monday, we’ll see that frown turned upside down.”
Dean shrugged off Best’s hand, barely resisting the urge to twist it up behind his back until he screamed. Usually Best left him alone, preferring to torment their other friends, but tonight it was just the two of them, and Best’s favorite pastime was being a wisecracking, annoying asshole.
