“Lacey.”
“Nice to have a name,” he said. “I’ve been calling you Cute Dog Walker Chick in my mind since that day at the park.”
I smiled at the compliment, feeling a little guilty that I hadn’t thought of him at all. My thoughts had been focused on a tall, dark, and brooding businessman.
“I’m Xan,” he said. “I’m with a bachelor party. My best friend is getting married this summer.”
His best friend was the guy hitting on Sloane. My skin prickled, and I dropped my eyes over him. If I had a type, which I didn’t, Xan would be it. On paper he checked every box. Wiry, muscular frame. Dark skin. Messy man bun and tattoos snaking up both exposed forearms. His hipster style coordinated perfectly with my sexy librarian chic.
He had a slight edge to him that I suspected was not so much bad boy as it was introvert.
“Your friend was hitting on my friend,” I said, taking a sip of my beer.
Xan scowled. “I’m not surprised. That marriage is doomed. I’ve told Marcus a hundred times he shouldn’t go through with it.”
I was taken by surprise at Xan’s easy admission. I expected him to stand up for his friend.
“Does his fiancée know he cheats on her?” I asked.
Xan shrugged, taking a pull of his beer. “I don’t think he’s done anything. Not yet. He’s wasted tonight and kind of a mess.” Xan set his beer on the counter, his jaw clenched. “It’s not like she doesn’t have her own thing going on,” he said. “She’s never been faithful. Not since day one.”
“Why the hell are they getting married?”
“Marcus is doing it for the money,” Xan said. “Jane is loaded. He wants that life more than anything. Most of those guys in the wedding party are jerks. Family of the bride.” He rolled his eyes. I can’t believe Marcus wants to be rich enough to marry into that…” He trailed off, glancing up at me. “Never mind them,” he said, flashing me a grin. “Tell me about you. I can’t place your accent. Where are you from?”
“I moved here from Cincinnati,” I said.
“Ah!” His eyes lit up. “Do you know West Chester, Ohio? It’s right outside Cincinnati.”
“I’ve been there,” I said. “Small town, right? With a huge athletic complex where they have all sorts of competitions.”
Xan nodded. “I go there every year with my team.”
I imagined him on an adult soccer or softball league. That must be why he was in such good shape. “Team?” I asked.
“I coach a kid’s triathlon team,” he said, eyes lighting up. “They are already training for the race in West Chester.”
I could tell by the way his smile gleamed that we were touching on one of Xan’s passions. I probably wore a similar expression while discussing books.
My phone buzzed from the pocket of my dress, and I glanced across the room at my table of friends. Gabi was motioning for me to answer my phone.
“Sorry,” I said to Xan. “My girls.” I gestured to where my friends sat..
“Go ahead,” Xan told me, nodding at the table.
I pulled out my phone, flipped it open, and saw a text from Gabi.
Who’s the hottie?
I flipped the phone shut without answering.
“I haven’t seen a phone like that in years,” Xan said. “I didn’t think they still made those.”
“They do,” I said.
“Can I see it?”
I handed him my phone. It was a completely different species from the smartphones everyone carried, but it did what I needed.
