Page 23 of Brodie

“I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting to see him, and I reallywasn’t expecting to see her, so I just…” She glances up at me. “Idon’t know what I feel right now besides blindsided.”

“That’s understandable.” I squeeze her hip, and she returnsthe gesture by squeezing my waist.

“Thank you for rescuing me again.”

“I didn’t rescue you.”

“You did by not giving him the opportunity to talk to mealone.”

“That wasn’t me rescuing you, Ree. That was me being selfishand territorial,” I mutter honestly, stopping at the board where the tableassignments are laid out.

“Well, still. Thank you.” She presses her body into mine.“Where are we sitting? And please don’t tell me we’re sitting with them.”

“You’re safe.” I point at the list of people at the tablewith us. “Do you want a drink before we go over?”

“Yes. Tequila. I’ve never had it, but I’ve heard it’s thego-to drink when you want to wake up the next day with no memory of the nightbefore.”

“How about a glass of wine since I’d like you to remembertonight?” I laugh and lean down, touching my mouth to hers without thinking.She kisses me back with ease.

Chapter 12

Reese

Picking up my drink, I take a sip while listening to thewoman seated next to me talk about her husband, who is not here tonight becausehe has a soccer match in London tomorrow. From what I’ve gathered, he’sworld-renowned, yet I have no idea who he is. Not that that means much ofanything. There must be over two hundred famous men and women in this roomright now, and even though a few of them look familiar, I don’t know any oftheir names.

Which is sad. I could probably make a killing if I stole astack of napkins and walked around asking for autographs to sell on eBay.

“I love your dress. Where did you get it?” she asks, and Iplace my glass of wine on the table. I really should have gotten tequila.

“My aunt got it in Paris twenty years ago.”

“Oh, I love vintage. It’s beautiful.” She leans back fromthe table to expose more of her dress, and I take that as my cue to return thecompliment.

God, I really do suck at this.

“I love your dress, too. That color is really nice. Itreminds me of a flamingo.”

“A flamingo?” She frowns.

“The pink bird.”

“I know what a flamingo is.”

“Oh, sorry, I just...”

“Ree,” Brodie cuts in before I can shove my foot fartherinto my mouth. “Do you want to dance?”

No. “Yes, please.” I let out a relieved breath and thenglance at the woman again. I really should have asked for her name. We justfinished a whole meal together, sitting side by side. “We’ll be right back.We’re just going for a spin.”

“Sure.” She nods, looking at me like I have two heads. Itake Brodie’s hand and let him help me out of my chair. With one look at hishandsome face, I know he’s trying not to laugh.

When we get to the dance floor, he pulls my body into hisand drops his mouth to my ear.

“Did you just tell Ronaldo’s wife that she looks like aflamingo?”

“No. I said her dress reminded me of a flamingo,” I grumble,and he laughs. “It’s pink. What else was I supposed to say?”

“Nothing.” He smiles down at me, looking amused.

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