Page 32 of It's Complicated

I’m not a fashionista or a diva, but, as I walk into the restaurant, I can’t help the surge of satisfaction at the stares I get.

The hostess asks me for the name on the reservation and informs me my party is waiting for a table at the bar. I step into the lounge, scanning the room for any sign of Aiden or Jace.

And then I see him.

Jace is seated at the bar, dressed in dark jeans and a baby blue button-down shirt, a navy-blue sweater tossed on the backrest of his stool. He’s alone, drinking an Old Fashioned—his favorite drink. His dark hair is a little mussed and gleams in the dim lights of the lounge, making my heart squeeze a little. He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to explain, but it’s like I’ve only just met him. In the past fifteen years, I’ve basically been immune to his rogue charm—I was too busy chasing after Aiden to notice, but now I’m like any other of the many women who have fallen at his feet.

I watch him take another sip of his drink, following the movement of his throat as he swallows. And I’m not sure when swallows became as contagious as yawns, but I find myself needing to swallow as well—hard.

For some inexplicable reason, I get a thrill watching him while he’s unaware of me. I don’t know how to describe it—maybe anticipation about this evening. We’re going to kiss after all. And before tonight, I’ve never wondered what kind of kisser Jace is, but now… I’ve become curious—intrigued. And, anyway, I suspect he’s the toe-curling type.

Jace turns around, and a grin lights up his face as he spots me. An unfamiliar wave of electricity goes through my body, warming me and making me feel powerful. He moves to stand up and I make my way to him, my eyes never leaving his.

That’s when his gaze drops lower. I can feel his eyes roam over my body, appraising me, and I smile inside at the knowledge that I look hot.

When our gazes meet again, a twinkle sparkles in his.

Jace stands up and reaches his hand out to me. When I place mine in his, a jolt zips through my body.

“You look incredible,” he murmurs.

“It’s to help you pretend you find me irresistible,” I reply, shrugging my shoulders.

Jace brushes my hair back, baring my neck and shoulder. “No need to pretend when you’re like this.”

A tingle runs down my spine. But I try to act cool and unaffected as I say, “Good, because we have to convince Kirsten that I’m super sexual and we’re the king and queen of bonking.”

Jace throws his head back, laughing. “If you want to keep things sexy, please don’t say bonking ever again.”

I mock-frown. “Where are Aiden and Kirsten? The hostess said I was the last one to arrive.”

“A server came a few minutes ago to bring us to our table, but I waited for you.”

I smile, even more heart-warmed by his gesture. “Thank you.”

Jace pauses, letting his gaze rake all over my face. The way he’s looking at me makes me feel hot—searing.

“I mean it, Lola. I’ve never seen you as beautiful as tonight.”

The fluttering in my stomach gets out of control at his words. But I retain enough of my wits to come back with a sassy retort. Thinking of the plaid fleece PJs I was wearing the other night when we had Mexican at my place, I ask, “You mean you don’t find me attractive when I wear checkered onesies?”

Jace chuckles again. “No, you’re always beautiful, but tonight you’re also sexy as hell.”

Here comes the need to swallow again. If Jace keeps looking at me like that, the makeup is going to melt right off my face, and I spent too much on it to put it to waste.

I clear my throat, trying to sound composed. “Let’s go,” I say.

Steering me with a hand on my lower back that causes all kinds of hot-and-cold sensations to run up and down my spine, Jace guides me into the restaurant.

Aiden perks up from his seat when he notices us. He’s dressed in a navy V-neck and dark jeans. When he takes in my dress, his eyes widen and he half chokes on his water.

Kirsten doesn’t recognize me right away, but once she zones in on Jace next to me, her gaze whips back to me and she positively gapes.

Sexually impaired, my foot, I want to say.

Aiden’s fiancée is quick to recover from the shock. She stands up from her chair to greet me. “Lori, you look spectacular. I love your dress.”

“Oh,” I reply, fake surprised. I peer down at my new outfit, then back up at Kirsten, who is dressed as fashionably as always in a caramel velvet dress. Her blonde hair half falling on her shoulders in beachy waves and knotted at the top. Jace, who’s holding my hand, gives it a little squeeze and I’m grateful for the reassurance. “Thank you,” I say. “You look amazing, too.”

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