Laura.
She spots me and cuts across the floor like I’m a magnet.
Penny and Fia step aside just in time for her to slam into me with a hug that’s way too touchy.
“You little liar!” she shouts, slapping my chest like we’ve got history. “You said you didn’t go out!” Her face is all smiles as she bats her eyes at me.
“I don’t,” I deadpan, gesturing toward the girls.
Fia smiles and sticks her hand out like the polite lady she was raised to be. “Hi, I’m Fia. We’re out celebrating my birthday. I’m Jesse’s sister.”
Warmth spreads through me at the way she naturally claims me as her brother. It feels pretty damn good to be wanted like that.
Penny’s face, on the other hand, is cold as ice, but then, like flipping a switch, she beams a smile so bright I know it’s fake.
God, she’s good.
“I’m Penny.” She offers no other labels.
But Laura doesn’t really care, turning all her attention back to me, still hanging on my arm, reeking like strawberry wine coolers. “Jesse’s been working with my rescue,” Laura says to Fia. “We’ve been trying to get him to come out for happy hour, but he’s been playing hard to get.”
I groan, but luckily the music drowns it out.
Laura’s hand doesn’t leave my chest, and Penny’s eyes haven’t left her hand. I never gave an inclination that I had any interest in this chick, and I have a very strict no mixing work and pleasure policy. She didn’t get the memo.
“You smell so good,” Laura adds, rubbing her nose into my chest, and Penny nearly chokes on her drink.
“Girls, look who I found!” Laura yells out, and the rest of the group swarms like bees.
Fia winks at me and grabs her sister’s hand, motioning toward the little stage in the corner. “We’re going to go check out the band.”
Penny flips her hair as she walks off, not giving me another second of attention.
Tonight’s going to be interesting.
19
Penny
NOW
My pulse thrums in my ears as Fia drags me through the growing crowd near the small stage. I don’t look back—I don’t have to. I can still feel Jesse’s eyes on my back, even with that tall brunette wrapped around him like a snake.
Why wouldn’t she be? He’s magnetic and mysterious and beautiful, and that’s always been his problem.
Or my problem.
Fuck. I really am little miss one-vodka-soda.
I glance at my phone, it’s only eight thirty, the band comes on at nine, but it’s already feeling late.
I’m getting old.
“Up for a game of darts?” I raise a brow, and my sister smiles. I lace my hand through hers, leading us toward the darts in the back corner. Jesse’s leaning against a nearby wall, still cornered in conversation with Laura and her posse, but I can feel the weight of his stare tracking me. He doesn’t hide it well. He never did.
Fine. If he wants to look, I’ll give him something to watch.
Mr. Cool, calm, and collected.
