Page 118 of Study Buddies

I turned to Kyle. “This is my friend Hailey.”

“So I’ve gathered,” he said to me before turning his eyes to my friend. The dry way he said it made me remember that this was a secret club… maybe it wasn’t smart to shout people’s names across the room. “Nice to meet you, Hailey.”

I was going to introduce him to Grant, but they were already shaking hands. “You two know each other?”

“We’ve met,” Kyle said, and Grant nodded.

Okay, then. But I was too excited about seeing Hailey to wonder how they’d met. “Did you have to be blindfolded on the way in?” I asked, lowering my voice.

“Yes. They always do that.”

“Always? You’ve been here before?”

“Once.”

A waiter passed by with a tray full of champagne flutes, so we stepped to the side nearer the array of plants behind a low wall.

“What is this place?” I whispered.

“I don’t know, sort of like one of those old-fashioned speakeasies? I know it’s only open once a month. And everyone gets really dressed up.” Her voice was low, too.

“How do people even find out about it?”

“Only members of certain fraternities are allowed in.”

“But I thought Grant quit the fraternity.”

“He did, but he’s still got a lot of influence.” Hailey’s smile was tinged with pride.

“You two look really good together.”

Her cheeks turned pink as she smiled. “So do you and your man. I take it that’s the hot jock?” She grinned and went on before I could respond. “I can confirm that first part for myself.”

“Yes, that’s Kyle.” I wanted to hug Hailey again. Though this place was gorgeous, it was… a lot. But Hailey, even dressed like a bombshell, was my friend. Talking to her was comfortable and familiar. It was even easier than talking to—oh crap. Had I really just run off and left Kyle in the middle of the dance floor?

Heat flooded my face as I looked around. Kyle and Grant were headed toward us, still talking. Kyle had two champagne flutes, and his blue eyes were flashing.

“Victoria.” He handed me a glass of champagne, and then his hand settled on the small of my back again. Inwardly, I cringed.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I trailed off, feeling mortified. I’d seen my friend and completely rushed off. “It’s just that Hailey and I haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Hailey nodded, nestled against Grant, his arm around her.

Kyle whispered in my ear in a low, dangerous voice. “I wanted to give you an unforgettable night. I didn’t know you were going to forget aboutme.”

“I didn’t! I just—” My sentence ended with a squeal as his hand slid down and pinched my ass. As if to make sure I wouldn’t forget him again.

“We’ll talk later, okay?” Hailey said. She grinned as she looked from me to Kyle and back again.

“Sure.”

“Enjoy the dinner—the food here is amazing.”

“Let’s go to our table.” Kylle said. His palm had returned to a respectable position on my back. He led me to a two-persontable along the edge of the dance floor. There was a little note card on it, perhaps saying it was reserved for us? He swept it off the table before pulling my chair out for me.

Had anyone ever done that before for me? If so, I couldn’t remember it. I sat down and before I could even try to scoot the chair forward, he’d done it. Then his hand rested briefly on my bare shoulder. His skin was warm, and I tilted my head that way, resting my cheek against his touch for just a moment. Then he sat in the chair opposite me.

I set my champagne flute on the table next to a crystal water glass. There were also fine porcelain plates on chargers, gleaming silverware, and cloth napkins. Nowhere was a menu, however.

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