Page 35 of When Sparks Fly

Sutton gives a cursory glance. “You want to join them?”

He’s being subtle, but I don’t know why. He doesn’t strike me as the type to beat around the bush. “If you have somewhere to be, don’t worry about me.”

He straightens and closes the small gap between us, looking down at me with those intense eyes again. “Worry isn’t the word I would use.” His voice skates over my skin, low and enticing.

“Oh?” I snatch my glass off the bar and take a sip in an attempt to hide my surprise.

“No.” Leaning his weight back on his heels he adds, “But if you want to play pool or hang out with your friends, then I won’t stop you.”

I steal another glance. Leah is in her element, pushing Pete’s shoulder with exaggerated flirtation and likely winning the round. “Leah’s my friend. But the others aren’t really.”

There’s a question in his eyes. I don’t offer and whatever it is doesn’t get asked. After a beat, he says, “Well, you’re welcome to come with me, then. I’ll introduce you.”

With my free hand, I motion for him to lead the way. His palm warms my lower back as he guides me toward the table where I first saw him.

A broad, blonde man stands with his back to us. He’s wearing jeans, a navy tee, and dirty ball cap, mingling with a few people.

Past them, on the front wall is an arcade game that measures the force behind a punch. Someone swings at it and I stop in my tracks. Sutton turnssharply, looking me over. Finding nothing amiss he takes a step toward me, cocking his head to one side in question.

“You’re not going to hit that, are you?” My eyes dart past him, to the game, before returning to his. I’m forced to look directly up at him when he closes the remaining distance between us.

The corner of his mouth kicks up. “Do you have something against that machine?”

“It’s a tool machine.” My drink nearly sloshes out of my glass when I abruptly cross my arms in an effort to appear sassy. The last thing I plan to do is spend time with guys who think they’re tough because of a high score on a simulated punching bag.

His returning grin is everything. “Do I look like a tool to you? Be careful how you answer.”

I laugh. “No. But I’ve been fooled before.”

“I don’t seek validation from inanimate objects.”

“Who do you seek validation from?” This time I take a small step forward. It’s not a challenge. I’m just trying to cover up my own surprise at asking a very pointed question.

Sutton gives me a sexy half-smirk. “Not many.”

His hand falls against my back again and we continue walking. The blonde turns and catches sight of us. A flash of surprise crosses his features before his face splits into a boyish grin.

“Hey, man, I thought I lost you.” His smile never falters.

“Maci, this is my best friend Nick. Nick, this is Maci.”

Nick reaches across the table and gives a smooth, confident shake. “Ma’am.”

“Oh no, don’t do that.” I laugh awkwardly.

“No?” His face remains pleasantly curious.

“No, please. I’m way too young to be a ma’am.” Nick opens his mouth to protest, but I put a hand up to stop him. “I know, I know. Southern habits die hard. I do it, too. But please—just Maci.”

Nick nods with a thin-lipped smile and eyes Sutton who hasn’t taken his eyes off me. “Ok, Just Maci.”

I grin. “One more thing, Nick. And this one is really important, so be careful how you answer.” Sutton’s eyes spark when I use his words. “Are you going to hit that machine?” I hike an eyebrow to indicate the space behind him.

He immediately laughs. “No ma-No. No, I’m not. Do you want to hit it?” He gives me a boyish grin and laughs at my returned expression.

All I can think is how different tonight is from the last time I was here. The company, the atmosphere. I catalog Leah’s whereabouts again.

The next few hours fly by. I take turns with Sutton and Leah on the dance floor. There are constantly new people coming up to Sutton and Nick. Sutton introduces me to a few who seem like more than acquaintances, but overall the conversations are short and surface level. It’s how I would assume it would feel to hang out with celebrities.

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