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12
Elizabeth
Take Your Time by Sam Hunt begins to blast through the speakers of the bar, and I freeze. It has to be a coincidence. But my eyes are wide as I search through the crowd, my pulse racing.
“What just happened?” Julianna asks, turning to see what’s grabbed my attention, but I can’t respond. I can barely breathe as my eyes continue to scan the room.
He’s here.
I know it. I feel it.
“Lizzy? Hey,” she tries again, waving her hand in front of my face.
Then I spot him, and my breathing stops altogether.
He’s heading toward me, a shorter blond man following close behind him. There’s determination in his movements as he easily dodges everyone standing in his path. He never takes his eyes off me, ignoring the different women trying to gain his attention. A full, mischievous smile spreads across his face once he realizes I’ve spotted him, causing my own lips to curve.
He looks unreasonably hot tonight. Black T-shirt and jeans, a black-and-khaki checkered flannel, Timberlands in place of his Doc Martens. His thick dark hair is slicked back on his head, giving it that perfectly-tousled look.
“What the hell are you looking at?” Julianna tries again to find what or who has my attention. “Well, damn.” She reaches over to squeeze my arm as Brenden approaches the table.
“Hello, beautiful.” His smooth voice causes my body to heat.
Julianna squeezes my arm again, reminding me to speak.
“Hello, Brenden,” I manage, my hand shooting up to fidget with my necklace.
“Well, damn,” the man standing next to Brenden says, gently hitting him on the arm. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Brenden narrows his eyes at the guy before turning his attention back to me. “Lizzy…this is my friend, Jon.” He gestures to the man, then to me. “Jon, this is Lizzy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jon shoots me a charming smile, and my cheeks blush.
He’s an attractive man. Reminds me a bit of Bodhi from Point Break—wavy long blond hair, lean frame. The complete opposite of Brenden.
Julianna makes a throat clearing sound next to me, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is my friend, Julianna.”
“Nice to meet you both. Would you like to join us?” She gestures her hand out in front of her, offering them the two empty seats at our table.
My breath catches as they accept her invitation and take a seat. I wanted to see and even talk to Brenden again, but not where Julianna could witness it. She tends to be very observant, and I don’t need her pointing out things I’m trying to ignore.
“So, Lizzy, how do you know our friend Brenden here?” Jon asks once he’s settled.
My eyes dart to Brenden, clueless how to answer that. I don’t know him, not really.
Brenden merely shrugs, leaving it up to me to answer.
“Wait.” Julianna slaps the table. “You’re the guy from the restaurant, aren’t you?”
Brenden smirks as my head snaps over to Julianna. I didn’t mention what happened on my birthday to her. I didn’t mention him at all.
She answers my unspoken question with a sympathetic expression. “Lori.”
“Oh man.” Jon chuckles, shoving Brenden. “You did play me. This is the woman who shot you down at dinner a couple weeks ago.”
Brenden scowls at his friend, and I cover my mouth as laughter bubbles out of me.
