Page 10 of Killian

“Yeah, she does. Lucky bastard. She’s gorgeous.”

“Yep, I know. I could never understand what she saw in a man like me.”

Killian looked at him. “Hell, me neither.”

Creed chuckled. “At least I have a woman. One not dancing with another man while I stand here sulking.”

Killian straightened up and glared at him. “Piss off.” When Creed chuckled, he grinned.

“Ask her to dance.”

“I will on the next slow one. I’m not good at fast dancing. I look like I’m having a seizure.”

Creed almost spit his beer out. “I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

“Who’s the guy she’s dancing with?”

“Nate Jefferson. He works at Beau’s ranch.”

“Well, Beau needs to fire his ass,” Killian growled out.

“Nate’s a good guy.”

“If you say so.”

“Damn, Killian. Just go talk to her.”

“It’s not like I haven’t talked to her before. We know each other. I just haven’t asked her out yet.”

“Well, you’d better move your ass before Nate takes her home.”

Killian was about to say something, but Creed walked away. He huffed out a frustrated sigh. He remembered Celine’s soft lips under his, the night she kissed him, mistaking him for someone else, and he’d even been in her coffee shop. But she never called him or texted him as he asked her to. He told her it was up to her.

“Hell, maybe she’s just not interested,” he murmured.

****

As they swayed to the music, Celine smiled at Nate. “Are you having a good time?”

“I am,” he replied with a smile.

“Me too. This is such a great party for Connie and Owen. The look on their faces when they walked in and saw everyone was priceless.”

Nate chuckled. “They are truly the nicest people.”

“I agree.”

When the song ended, Nate led Celine back to her friends before disappearing into the crowd. She liked him as a friend, but there had never been any romantic spark between them. He was undeniably attractive with his striking blue eyes, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he was currently seeing anyone. She knew he had been in a serious relationship not too long ago, but the woman moved away, without Nate. In her opinion, that woman made a big mistake by leaving Nate behind, but it was ultimately her decision. From what Celine could tell, Nate seemed perfectly content, so perhaps it was all for the best.

Settling into her seat at the table, she greeted the others with a smile. What a fantastic group of people they were. She scanned the room for Killian, but he was nowhere to be found. Had he already left? She sighed in disappointment; she had been hoping to dance with him. He was just too damn attractive. Her mood lifted when Lanie and Trent joined everyone at the table.

“Trent, I’m curious. How did you manage to get Connie and Owen out of the diner?”

“Oh, it wasn’t just me. Preston, Reece, and Holt helped.”

She beamed as the four men exchanged a knowing look and chuckled.

“We turned off their gas line,” Trent answered with a chuckle.

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