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In the flesh!
I turn to say hello when my gaze, like a heat-seeking missile, locks onto a slender blonde with long, thick, wavy hair and blue eyes with irises ringed in black. The corners of her bright red lips turn up in a small but polite smile, and a dimple makes itself seen.
Stunning doesn’t begin to describe her, blessed with the kind of beauty that makes men walk into street signs, crash their cars, and empty out their bank accounts.
“Holy hell,” I mutter quietly enough so only Leo, whose grin I see from the corner of my eye, can hear.
Ava’s perfect eyebrows arch. “So you’re Jasper’s friends. The guys who come over for poker. We finally meet,” she says in a bored voice.
Figures.
Her tone is cool as a frosted glass, but I’m feeling some serious heat below the belt.
“Good to meet you, Ava,” I say, extending my hand. “Hey, I’ve got Knicks tickets, if you might be interested.
Jasper clears his throat loudly.
I ignore him. He can find his own goddamn tickets.
“Oh. Is that a band?” she asks.
No. Just no.
My day is ruined. If not my entire life.
How could a woman like this have no idea who the Knicks are?
But in spite of myself, in part disbelief and part humiliation, I burst out laughing, attracting the attention of every person in the crowded elevator.
The men look down, embarrassed for me and my blatant striking out.
Thanks, brothers.
But I am not deterred. No, I am not.
“You know, Ava, the guys and I are going to a… gathering later. A party of sorts for my elderly neighbors. Former neighbors. I look out for them. Anyway, I’d love for you to join us.” I’m speaking fast, way too fast, but the elevator doors will be opening in the building lobby in seconds. I’m a sales guy and I know to ‘ask for the sale’ before the opportunity is gone.
Ava nods lightly, looking from one of us guys to the next, like she’s trying to discern whether or not I am for real, and Jasper drives a painful ‘what the hell, man?’ elbow to my ribs.
But the only person who matters at this moment is Ava, whose gaze I cannot tear myself from.
Shit. I hate when this happens.
As the elevator doors open, Ava shrugs with a small nod, her eyes wide like she’s looking for an emergency exit.
“Yeah. Sure.”
The lack of enthusiasm stings a little, but I’ll take what I can get.
We spill into the lobby as she introduces her coworkers.
“This is my friend, Cami,” she says, gesturing toward a tiny redhead.
Standing closest to her, Jasper extends a hand.
But before he can grasp hers, she blurts out, “I’m married.”
Awkward silence settles among the six of us as we each try to figure out what to say next, when Leo speaks up.
