Page 35 of Rival Hearts
We walked in and sat down at the bar, ordering vodka tonic for me and wine for Maya. I glanced around.
The bar was a bit fancier than I usually liked to go to, but we were both dressed up for the press release, so we fit in.
“To the campaign,” Maya said, lifting her wineglass.
I clinked my vodka against her glass, and we each took a sip.
“I hope it will be successful.”
“It will,” Maya said. “It’s a long road, still, but you’re doing great.”
I smiled. “You’re always so supportive.”
“Of course, that’s what friends do.” Maya grinned. “Besides, I really think you’re doing great, I’m not even just saying it.”
I chuckled.
“This city is fantastic,” Maya added. “I’m so glad I made the move! And there’s no want for hot guys.”
I laughed outright at that. “You’ve found someone you like?”
“Well, notlikelike. But yeah, I’ve found a few of them over the past couple of weeks…” She smirked.
“Of course you have,” I laughed. Maya was so comfortable around people, and she picked up guys so easily. It was nauseating almost to see how easily she fit in when it just wasn’t that simple for me. But thanks to her, I met people a lot easier, too.
“What about you?”
I shrugged. When I thought about Alex, my stomach did a little flip.
“No one who really tickled my fancy.”
Liar.
“You should get out there, Lot,” Maya said and sipped her wine. “Seriously, all work and no play…”
I laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. It’s just not what I’m here for, you know? I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I want to focus on the campaign.”
“What about the reason you were late the other day?” Maya waggled her eyebrows.
“It was nothing,” I said with a wave of my hand and gulped down more of my vodka.
Maya giggled with glee. “You’re such a bad liar!”
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” I said, flustered and blushing now. “It’s not like we can be anything. Gabe would kill me.”
Maya narrowed her eyes, and the blood drained from my face. Shit, I’d said too much.
“Why would Gabe kill you?” Maya asked carefully.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing, really.”
“Was it one of his friends?” Her eyes widened.
“No, no,” I said. “It wasn’t.”
“It was!” Maya cried out, but then she crinkled her nose. “They’re not really the kind of guys I thought you’d go for.”
Maya had met Gabe and his buddies once after we’d both moved to Newport. The idea had been to introduce her to someone so she wouldn’t be completely alone. That was before I’d realized how easy it was for her to settle into a new place. She hadn’t cared much for the frat-like guys who never really grew up.
