Page 38 of Lawson

Reese looks at us with utter betrayal in her eyes before she turns around, catching Nash’s gaze, but he doesn't give her time to say anything before he continues on his way.

She whirls around, accusation in her eyes. “You couldn't have told me he was right behind me?”

“He literally walked in from the back door, manifesting out of the darkness, how was I supposed to know he was there?” Monroe fires back

“Oh my God, I'm mortified,” Reese says, ducking her head into her free hand.

“Don't worry about it,” I say. “He's probably wasted. You know how he is at these parties. There's no way he's going to remember that tomorrow.”

Reese looks up at me with hopeful eyes, and Monroe and I nod enthusiastically to assure her.

Silence falls over our little group for a moment as we continue to hydrate, and my eyes trail across the room locking onto Lawson, who’s talking to Pax near the dance floor where Monroe and I left them.

His eyes find mine easily, and he flashes me a grin before he returns his focus to Pax. And goddamn if my stomach doesn't flip from that look alone.

“I'm ready to call it a night,” Reese says after she finishes her water. “I'll see you two tomorrow?”

“Do you want one of us to go with you?” I ask.

“No, I'm good. I haven't had anything to drink tonight. I'll text you guys when I make it home.”

We give her hugs, then watch as she heads out of sight.

“Lucky for me, I have a DD,” Monroe says, raising her water toward Pax across the room. “Because I hadwaytoo many drinks during beer pong.”

I bite back my smile. “Pax is a sweetheart for drinking water during the game to ensure you get home safely.”

“Yeah, he's such a good buddy,” she says, but the way she’s looking at him doesn't indicate anythingbuddyliketo me.

Or maybe it does, because I've been very diligent about calling Lawson myfriendand nothing more, and yet my thoughts about him are anything but friendly.

Maybe I've got this whole intimacy thing wrong. It definitely wouldn't come as a shock, seeing as my experience thus far has been anything but explosive.

“I'm ready for more dancing,” Monroe says, dropping her empty water bottle in the recycling bin and winking at me before heading over to Pax. I silently indicate that I'm going to finish my water and then I'll be right behind her.

I take another few sips, draining the contents before tossing the bottle in the recycling bin.

“Hey, you're Blakely, right?” a masculine voice asks, drawing my attention to the right and away from the dance floor.

The blonde guy from earlier is now at my side, looking down at me with hopeful eyes. “That's right?”

“Sorry, my friend Jonas told me about you,” he says, pointing behind him to where I recognize a rookie talking to a few others across the room. “He says you're one hell of a skate coach.”

I nod, and saythank you, not really sure what else to say. I may be at a work morale event, but the last person I want to be right now is Coach Wren. I've been having way too much fun tonight as Blakely.

“I'm a horrible skater,” he says.

“I'm sorry, I don't give private lessons unless you're on my team.”

“Oh no, that wasn't me asking for lessons,” he assures me. “Just stating a fact. But to be frank, I saw you and thought you were the most beautiful woman in this house, and I couldn't resist the urge to come over and ask you if you wanted to have a drink with me.”

“That's so sweet of you,” I say. “But I'm...” Holy shit, I’m about to say I’m here with someone. But I’m not. Not in any official capacity. And yet I have no desire to get to know this very attractive guy who is giving me attention.

“Are you here with someone?”

“She is,” Lawson says, coming up behind me and looking over me at the guy.

“My bad,” he says respectfully, and nods at me. “It was nice to meet you, Blakely.” And then he walks off.

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