Page 43 of Crush

Small talk then ensued with Luca explaining about his career as a model until partway through his sentence, something captured his interest. The Singleton model no doubt. I looked past Amber’s shoulder and she also turned to glance back.

A stunning woman dressed in a tight black lace dress was walking towards us. She was tall and slim, with chocolate hair and brown eyes and wasstunningand very exotic looking, possibly mixed race. Amber twisted back with an, “Excuse me a minute.”

The approaching female and Amber launched themselves at each other and hugged with a girly squeak only dogs could hear.

“Hell yes, I think I’m in love,” Luca said as he settled closer to my side.

“Whatagain?” I replied as we both watched the two women chattering and complimenting each other’s dresses. Luca fell in love with a new woman every other month. He was the ficklest of all our friends.

“I do hope she introduces us.” As soon as the words were out, Amber flicked her head our way and the woman turned to glance at us. Due to the music and the noise from the bar, I couldn’t hear what they were saying but knew they were talking about us. I wondered if Amber had told the girl that I had kissed her. I faintly remembered meeting her before, maybe at a party or something.

“Just remember you’re a guest in this house. I think you’ll have to curtail your bedroom shenanigans tonight,” I suggested, finishing my drink, and then raising the glass in salute as Amber’s friend blatantly checked me out. Her grin widened and she arched an eyebrow.

“Why?” Luca said, tugging my attention back.

“Because you make too much noise when you fuck and I imagine rooms four and five—are next to each other.”

Luca started to chuckle but then masked it and whispered under his breath, “Shh, they’re coming over.”

Amber introduced her companion as Mia Huntington-Smith and we all exchanged greetings. It was explained that they had been friends for years. Mia was a social influencer, whatever the hellthatwas. Luca seemed to know all about it as they launched into talking about YouTube.

Amber was listening with the occasional interruption as other guests glided over to congratulate her on the party. I felt like a spare part so decided to play waiter.

I took their choices, managing to hide my surprise when Amber ordered prosecco instead of champagne;fucking prosecco?

Luca and Mia scanned the area for some seats before pointing towards a wicker seating area in one corner underneath a kitchen window. They both walked over to save the table and I turned towards the bar.

“Do you want any help?” Amber said which pulled me back. I was surprised she’d offered when she’d probably spent most of her life being waited upon. “And before you make a wisecrack about the offer, I’d save it.”

I swallowed my original comment and shot her a feigned offended look. “Would I?

“Yes, you bloody well would,” she volleyed back with a twist to her lips. Interesting. It wasn’t a full smile, more like a suggestion of one. Of course, Amber was capable of smiling, just never at me.

“It’s fine, I’ll get a tray,” I replied.

“Need any help?” Luca said, appearing by our sides again.

I shook my head, “No, you keep the seats warm.”

“I’ll join you all in a minute. I just need to check on a few things,” Amber said in an awkward voice. I sensed that she wasn’t that comfortable, but was that due to me or the fact that she had to be so sociable? It was a tough one to call, the woman was like a closed book most of the time.

“Of course. You have guests. I’ll get the drinks and leave yours with Mia. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Luca behaves himself,” I said lightly.

Amber tilted her head, glancing over to watch them positioning the sofas into a more sociable angle.

“I don’teverworry about Mia, Max. She can look after herself.”

“Good,” I replied, rocking back on my heels. That meant no blowback for me when Luca nailed the girl and then never called her.

Before she walked away, her next words rang in my ears, “Let’s just hope your boy can.”

I gave her a puzzled look, the weed had not fully left my system, “Can what?”

Amber gave me a tight smile, “Look after himself.”

She then sashayed away and I spent at least a full minute eyeing her backside before heading to the bar.

Eight

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