Page 16 of No Summer Hotter than You

“What a gentleman,” I deadpanned.

His full lips pulled into that adorable, charming, boyish grin, and my belly flopped. “Damn right I am. I always know how to treat my women right.”

A small smile crossed my lips as I sipped my tall glass of lager. I caught a pair of brown eyes watching me from across the way. It was a cute guy from two tables over. He was about to nod at me, but I quickly looked away. I wasn’t ready to take the jump yet. I needed more liquid courage in my system first, so I downed another gulp.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if Anthony was right and there were a few eyes on me. I was dressed my best tonight since I was out on the town for the first time in weeks. I came out with the full intention to get a hookup and perhaps even get my feelings for Anthony screwed out of my system.

But that was all in the brain. My heart clearly had her own plans and that was to stick to Anthony and hang on his every word, glance, and smile.

He was gearing up for a new relationship and may even marry the next woman he got with since we’re already thirty. He told me that since we’re no longer in our twenties, he wanted to settle down eventually, and maybe even have a kid or two, while expanding his dad’s company’s work and expertise.

Which meant I needed to get rid of the crush I had on him before he fell head over heels in love with another woman—before I watched from the sidelines, brimming in happiness for him and envious of his wife.

Before I could tune back into the conversation at our table between Alicia’s boyfriend, and Jonathan, Anthony abruptly leaned back into me. His lips were so close to my ear they practically grazed against it. “Did you get a new perfume, by the way? Or a new shampoo? Because you smell amazing.”

I immediately pulled away as a shiver ran down my spine, flushed and surprised he would even notice.

“I—I—yeah. I’m trying out a new scent for summer.”

Anthony grinned again. He took a moment as he lazily leaned back into me, taking a long whiff of me. He hummed and it vibrated through me to my core. “Mm, you smell so good I just want to take a bite out of you.”

My lower abdomen involuntarily clenched at those words. I was unsure how to respond and began to burn so hot I was sure I was searing the barstool I sat on.

“Thanks?”

“I love it. You should use it all summer.” His eyes glinted for a moment.

Before I could stammer out another response, I felt Alicia next to me as she propped her elbow on the table. “You two sure look comfy,” she immediately remarked.

I turned to her with a scathing look as Anthony laughed lightly. He also propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward with that twinkling, eager, golden brown gaze of his.

“I’m trying to convince Shoua to let loose and have some fun tonight,” Anthony said.

“Oh, really? With whom?” Alicia smiled slyly in his direction, but he didn’t seem to catch onto it. I glared at her for insinuating, but she was ignoring me with a knowing smile on her face.

“There’s a few guys around here who’ve been checking her out this whole time.” He gave me a quick wink. “You lucky vixen. They’re all your type too, Shoua.”

Alicia laughed, finally turning to me. “Yeah, let loose, girl! You can’t continue to let yourself be hung up on Pierre. I get it that the French know how to get their freak on, but it’s been two years. You need to move on.”

“I’m not hung up on him, Alicia,” I said through a tight smile. She knew why I hadn’t started dating again, so why was she saying this?

“Then what’s been keeping you from dating?” Her brows arched at me, and I felt myself become angry.

I clearly fell into her trap when I should’ve seen it from a mile away because it was so obvious she was heading here.

“I’ve been busy,” I said. “And you know that. Right, Anthony?”

He nodded. “True. We’re busy people, Alicia.” She was about to call bullshit, but he quickly drained his glass of beer, causing Alicia to gape at him. “I’m heading back up to grab another drink. Do any of you want another one while I’m there?”

“Get me another blonde ale,” Jonathan said.

“Same here,” said Alicia’s boyfriend and smiled.

Anthony quickly pulled out his phone and went around the table taking orders. When he headed to the bar, Jackie immediately got my attention. She whispered, “As a completely unbiased third party, I was almost convinced that Anthony had the hots for you.” I glared at her as she shrugged. “That man got me hoping for a second there.”

“You and Jackie need to stop your imaginations from going wild.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be fun to actually date your best friend?” Alicia said with a frown.

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