“Come on. Let’s go see what he wants,” Claire jokes with a hand wave.
I follow her.
“Look at you,” Aaron says taking me into his arms.
He gives me a bear hug that lifts me off my feet.
“Oh my God, Aaron. Put me down,” I plead.
He does.
“What the hell do they put in the water in Hungary?” he jokes. “Gorgeousness serum?” Like a silly girl, I giggle. “You’re more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you, Dom.”
“Thank you,” I say shyly.
“I already begged for her stylist’s number. I’m out of luck. I’d have to fly to Europe,” Claire says. “It’s the same for the killer dress. She got it in the Big Apple. No wonder.”
“You guys are making a big deal out of nothing,” I say.
“Tell her how amazing she looks,” Claire orders Rod, swatting his arm in the process.
Her command startles him.
I blink up at him and instantly, my cheeks flame up.
Three pair of eyes stare at him expectantly.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey,” I parrot.
“I didn’t tell you to say hi,” Claire admonishes.
“Right.” Rod rubs a hand along the back of his neck and clears his throat. Unrushed, he sweeps his eyes up and down the length of my body.Good Lord.Even though I’m fully dressed, I feel completely naked. “I love it all.”
Four simple words.
You wouldn’t believe the effect they have on me.
Rod’s eyes bore into mine and for a few seconds, it’s as if we were the only two people in the backyard.
“See, I told you. We’re so going out later,” Claire says. Claire is a year older than I am and just like me, she’s still single. “You’re going to be my hunk magnet tonight. You’ll have men eating out of the palm of your hand. I’m okay with the leftovers,” she laughs.
Aaron chuckles.
Rod isn’t amused.
His nostrils flare.
The corner of his lips lifts slightly, the way it usually does when he’s displeased.
“Great! It’s settled,” Aaron says tapping Rod’s shoulder. “The girls will hit the town and you and I will go out in search of desperate souls. The more desperate, the better. Just like my little sis, I’m okay with the leftovers.”
Aaron and Claire laugh their heads off.
I can’t crack a smile.
And from the look of it, neither can Rod.
