Page 109 of David

These men must be used to women getting clumsy in their presence. Like me now. Looking silly.

I’m trying to hold his gaze, but my stare is drawn to David’s eyes.

Wearing a dress shirt like James and having his hands tucked in his pockets, he looks at me with a lifted eyebrow, and I simply lose myself.

I don’t know what to say or do. I can’t walk straight. I’ll probably be off whatever I decide to do.

The two men look at me.

James, because I’m a train wreck, and David, because…?

I have no idea.

I don’t even have the brain cells to compute.

Are we still on?

Are we not?

Last night was our secret?Was it not?

Yes, it was.

I think we can safely say that.

So, theoretically, I don’t know him.

I tilt my chin down as if greeting him.

“Have you met before?” James asks, and Chloe and I look at each other before shifting our eyes to James.

It’s not clear what he refers to, but we both say no.

“David Moore,” James says before waiting for me to say my name.

I’m sure he only knows me as Thea’s cousin.

“Elizabeth Fox,” I say, holding David’s eyes again and trying hard not to blow my cover.

He slowly shifts and takes my hand.

His lips don’t move, yet his eyes push back a kernel of amusement.

He doesn’t seem surprised to see me here, but that may only be because he is so good at hiding his reaction.

“David,” he says. “Nice meeting you.”

And then I find myself talking.

“I didn’t know you were––”

I stop abruptly, livid.

Shit.

What was I about to say?

‘I didn’t know you were here?’

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