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“Definitely. Onward to the open bar.”
I chuckled and led her outside, waiting while she locked the door. The weather had warmed enough she didn’t bother with a coat for the quick trip to the car, though the intermittent bursts of wind were pretty chilly.
Chloe didn’t seem to care. She tucked her arm in mine, taller than usual in her heels so the top of her head came to my chin instead of my shoulder. Chloe had such a big personality I sometimes forgot how tiny she was.
“Why didn’t we ride with Mac again?”
“Did you want to be squished into the third row of Mac’s Jeep while everyone is imagining their date naked?” Me included.
She shuddered. “No, thanks. Eva probably wouldn’t imagine Mac naked, but he’s not going to be able to keep his eyes off her in the dress we found.”
I snorted as I opened the car door for her. “Mac can’t keep his eyes off her anyway. I don’t know why he keeps bringing girls home when the one he wants is across the hall.”
Chloe shifted to face me as I got behind the wheel, resting her chin in her hand. “Why indeed?”
Her innocent tone didn’t fool me. I raised a brow, meeting her gaze for a beat. “I don’t bring girls home.”
Surprise widened her eyes. “None?”
“Not in a long while. My last experience left a lot to be desired.” I’d never planned to share the details with anyone, but I found the story spilling out of my mouth while Chloe stared at me, astonished. Her hand landed on my arm, a soft touch that sent heat spiraling in my chest.
“Want me to set her room on fire?” She asked the question with such glee I burst out laughing.
“Nah, I handled her. The situation just made me rethink my dating strategies.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes, still twinkling with amusement. “That’s great, but what about me? I’m all juiced up for violence with no outlet.”
I removed her hand from my arm before her nails sank in any deeper, linking our fingers together. “Maybe we could save the arson for a more deserving target.”
“Anyone who messes with you is going to get a face full of me.”
“My hero,” I joked, stopping at the valet station.
I had to release her to get out of the car, but Chloe caught my hand again on the sidewalk, pulling me to a halt before letting me go.
“I’m serious, Noah. She was so far past the bounds of decency, and probably breaking the law. I’m sorry that happened to you.”
I rubbed my thumb along her jaw, smoothing her frown. “Me too, but it won’t happen again. Thanks for coming with me.”
She huffed out a breath, and I watched her transform from valiant defender to tease in a heartbeat. Her lips tilted the tiniest bit, and she stepped close to straighten my tie.
“You’re welcome.”
“What are you doing?” I murmured, unable to resist resting my hands on her hips.
“Making sure you look picture perfect. Can’t have the prized football players looking unkempt.”
I grunted when her hands smoothed along my lapels, curling behind the nape of my neck. She raised her eyes to mine and fell still. In another life, one where we’d met this year as strangers and she’d been open to a relationship, I’d bend my head and kiss her. I’d claim her mouth—claim her—right here in front of the fancy hotel where I was supposed to be on my best behavior.
The flash of a picture being taken snapped me back to reality. This wasn’t another life. Her brother was somewhere inside, and the college sports world was watching. I urged Chloe up the stairs, scowling at the skinny guy with the press lanyard as we passed.
12
“Em, stop analyzing the donors I’m supposed to be schmoozing. You’re scaring them away with your judgy looks.”
Nadia snorted and raised a brow at my brother. “Yeah, and all your glaring is really helping.”
I took a sip of wine to hide my smile. D couldn’t be more smitten with his girlfriend, and a part of me was really happy we’d ended up at the same table as my brother. Despite Eva’s complaints about Noah’s previous dates as tablemates, the rest of our crew was scattered over the room, which made me think Noah had pulled some strings for me.
