Page 7 of Code Red Chemistry

“As you said, I turned him down. And, for good reason,” I snap.

Libby clicks her tongue. “Testy now, are we? I heard what you said, but I also saw the smoking-hot chemistry between the two of you.”

Was it that obvious?Sure, I felt the sizzle through every inch of my body—especially downthere—but was it something a casual observer would have noticed? Apparently so.

I fiddle with the paper sleeve on my cup, memories of that evening flooding back.

“It was my brother’s wedding,” I say finally, the words tumbling out. “A rooftop summer reception five years ago. I don’t know what it was about that night, but Levi and I’d been flirting and dancing, and we ended up in a coat closet and…” I press a palm to my burning cheek.

“And?”

“And it was incredible. Mind-blowing. Life-changing…or so I thought.”

Libby lays a hand on my knee. She already knows it didn’t end well. “Oh, honey, what happened?”

“The next morning at brunch happened. The bastard had the nerve to act like I was just Alex’s kid sister. Like the coat closet had never even happened. Like we didn’t go at it with no holds barred and have spectacular sex and then talk until dawn. I thought about calling him out but…” I trail off.

“You didn’t?”

I shrug. “My brother would have murdered him. Plus, I didn’t want to ruin the entire morning.”

“So you threw a drink in his face?”

“A mojito,” I confirm. “And he deserved it. But I was to blame, too. I knew his reputation. I just…” My voice cracks. “That night felt special, like something more than physical. I thought he felt it, too. I was wrong.”

“And seeing him last night?”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Felt like my heart was trying to escape my chest while my brain screamed to run the other direction.”

“So you’re still on for the gala, then?”

My eyes snap open. “What? No. Absolutely not.”

“Why not? You’re a successful, board-certified physician now. One who’s celebrating the accomplishment in style, as you should. Show the jerk exactly what he missed out on.”

“I can’t…” I start, but even as I protest, I’m picturing it. Imagining the look on Levi’s face when he sees me in that red halter dress with the high slit that’s been hanging unworn in my closet.

“You can. And you should.” Libby insists, leaning toward me. “Just promise me one thing?”

My eyebrows knit together. “What’s that?”

“That you won’t bid on him at the auction.”

I lob a pillow at her head. She pulls back out of range with a laugh before it can connect with her head.

“Not a chance,” I insist. “Levi had his chance and blew it. I’m only going to have fun with you. And to show him what he lost. That’s it.”

Levi

Itug at mysuspenders for the hundredth time, pacing the dimly lit staging area just behind The Plaza’s grand ballroom and drain the last of my whiskey, neat. A drop of sweat rolls down my spine, and I mop my brow with the tiniest monogrammed cocktail napkin known to man. I can’t believe I’m about to parade out in front of an overflowing ballroom under blaring lights, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be tonight. Because she’s here.

Somehow, I managed to avoid Zoe for five years, but one random run-in at a bar in Soho and now five days without laying eyes on her, without so much as a glimpse of her dazzling smile or a saucy comeback flung my way, and it’s like the sun has set and hasn’t risen.

Pure torture, that’s what it’s felt like. And not just because I want to sleep with her again, although hell knows I do. But because seeing her confirmed a feeling I’ve tried to ignore for years. And now? I want to win her heart. For good. Despite thefact I’m still not good enough for her and likely never will be. Despite the way Alex will have my ass for even looking twice at his little sister. Despite the way things ended the last time I let my feelings for this woman get the best of me.

And the way I’ll win her over? Not sure about that yet, but talking to her tonight is step one.

Zoe’s mingling in the black-tie crowd on the other side of this wall. She might even be sipping a glass of champagne right now. One she’d have no qualms about tossing in my face if I deserved it. Which is one of the dozens of things I love about her. Zoe’s fearless. Always has been.

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