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“That’s awful. No wonder you’re worried, but I promise you’re safe with me.” He drew her into his arms for a slow dance. “Are you okay if my hands stay right here?” He grinned as he held her loosely with his hands near her shoulder blades.
“Sure,” she chuckled.
“On the other hand, I don’t want you to think I don’t find you tempting. So, if you change your mind...”
Charlie punched him, playfully. “No, I’m afraid I won’t be changing my mind. But if you want someone who’s more willing, you might ask that girl.” She pointed with her chin to a girl, gyrating in a dirty dance with two guys who had their hands all over her.
He raised his eyebrows,
but shook his head, turning his attention back to Charlie. “I prefer to stay with my present company.” He scrutinized her face. “Are you like a model or someone famous? I feel like I’ve seen your face before, in a magazine, maybe.”
“Does that line usually work?” She laughed, realizing she was having a good time.
His deep voice resonated in a chuckle. “I don’t know. This is my first time to try that one.” He squinted at her. “No, really. It was a legitimate question. Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so. I just moved here from Colorado.”
“That’s not a Colorado accent I hear.”
“No, it’s a Texas accent.”
“I like it. And what’s a Texas girl doing in New York City?”
“I’m going to law school at Columbia, starting in January.”
His face split in a huge smile. “No kidding? I’m two years ahead of you at Columbia. That’s awesome—my buddy won’t believe it. We’re here celebrating the end of the semester.” He paused and cocked his head. “Maybe I saw a picture of incoming students. I don’t know...”
“I’ve heard studying takes up most of your time in law school.”
“Only if you want to pass. Unless you’re one of those geniuses with a photographic memory.”
“No pictures taken in this brain. I’m sure I’ll have to study all the time.”
At the song’s end, he glanced over her shoulder where his buddy was now watching him from their table, laughing and making congratulatory gestures toward him. “My friend, Lance, is goofy, but would you like to meet him? Or better yet, do you have a girlfriend who looks just like you?”
Charlie noticed her group had returned to their table. “We don’t look just alike, but we’re both tall. Is that close enough?”
“Seriously? You’ve got a single friend? That’s awesome.”
Derek brought his buddy over to Charlie’s table for introductions.
“This is my sister, Emily, and her husband Spencer. And this is my other single friend, Hannah. And this is Olivia and Josh—they’re engaged.”
Olivia frowned. “No we’re not.”
Josh’s face was inscrutable. “Technically, we’re not. But we’re engaged to be engaged.” He reached out to hold Olivia’s hand, but she snatched it away.
“Eh-hem,” Charlie cleared her throat. “This is Derek and Lance. They’re third-year law students at Columbia.”
They chatted over the noise of the nightclub until Olivia suggested they go somewhere for coffee.
“It’s almost one o’clock,” Josh pointed out. “Maybe we should call it a night.”
“You can go home if you like,” said Olivia. “But I’m in the mood for Bubby’s Pie Company.”
With the enthusiastic agreement of the group, Josh was forced to tag along. Charlie hoped his mood would improve with the change of venue. Olivia was acting a bit irritated with him.
Joining the others in the back of the limousine, Derek peered at both Charlie and Emily. “So who are you, really?” he asked Charlie. I’ve seen a picture of both of you, somewhere. I just can’t place it. And you’ve got a limo, so...”
