Page 23 of Both Sides Now

He snaps his fingers, chuckling. “It’s my turn, anyway.”

“I’m ready when you are.” My cheeks redden at the unintended intimation, so I focus my gaze toward my best friend, hoping to squelch the warmth flooding my body. I blame the flush on the wine in my hand and not the devilishly good looking man by my side. “For someone who claimed he didn’t want to attend alone, Shawn is certainly enjoying that conversation.” I motion across the room to where my friend stands speaking to a most animated man, his hands flying about in all variety of gestures.

“Shawn better be careful. He might accidentally get clocked. Dr. Catalano is quite verbose in his commentary. Also, I don’t blame your friend for wanting a date for the evening. Especially when that date is you.”

I can’t hold back the smile crossing my face as I press my hand against his chest. “You’re very good at that.”

“What?”

“Paying compliments.” I hold up my hand when he opens his mouth to argue my words. “I’m serious. They’re sincere. Witty, even. But without a hint of saccharine overload.”

“I suppose I have my moments.”

“I’m sure you have plenty.”

A fellow attendee jostles us, and Keegan moves closer, crowding my space. Not that I mind. There’s such a familiarity in his nearness. “You did say it was my turn to dole out the compliments.”

“Only if you mean them.”

He reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and my breath catches at the intimacy of the gesture. “With you, I mean every word.”

I grip the edge of the bar, feeling like a schoolgirl again—all fluttery and full of butterflies.

I quite like the emotion. Much more of it and I’ll have to scope out a few dark corners for an entirelydifferentpurpose.

“Are you having a good time or do you secretly detest these shindigs, too? Shawn calls them a necessary evil.”

Keegan shrugs, sipping his drink. “I’ve had worse. Like I said, the night is looking up since I spotted you.”

I lean my elbow on the bar and chew my bottom lip, biting back a smile. “How are you not married?”

My abrupt question catches him off-guard, and he sputters his drink.

“Careful, Keegan. You don’t want to suffer one of my coffee mishaps,” I giggle.

“That is such a random question.”

“Not really. I’m just wondering how you avoided it thus far. You’re quite the catch.”

“Maybe it’s because I don’t want to be caught.”

His eyes twinkle with amusement, but his words sadden me. He doesn’t believe in love—a concept I adore. “Ah, I see. The more, the merrier, huh?”

“Not exactly. You think I’m a total player, don’t you?”

Yes, and I hate that idea because that means you’re off-limits. Or you should be, even though a night of wild and crazy sex might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Wait, what?

I shake my head, trying to keep my wild imagination in check. “Not a total one. You have many redeeming qualities, your flattery skills among them. Although, I think you’d actually be great husband material.”

I mean the statement as a generality, but judging by hiswidened eyes and another slight sputter in his drink, it came out as anything but. “Are you implying something?”

“Not for me,” I cajole, chuckling as I once again blather on like an idiot. “Trust me, Doc, we both know I’m not your type. You needn’t worry with me bothering you about matrimony.”

He runs a hand over his chin and focuses his gaze on the mirror behind the bar. “Why do I feel like I missed out on an opportunity just now?”

“You did. I am pretty damn amazing.”

Those azure orbs focus on me again, and I’m acutely aware of the proximity of our bodies, as the space between us diminishes with each passing minute. “You are indeed incredible. I’ll make you a deal, Callista. If I ever change my mind on the subject of marriage, you’ll be the first person I call.”

---