Page 28 of Reckless Storm
“Yes, ma’am.” He nods with a smirk and a giggle bursts out of me.
“Thank you. Have a good night.”
“You too.” He glances away as I turn, but not before flashing me the most genuine smile I think I’ve ever experienced, and my chest tightens. I’ve never met a guy like Reed, and something tells me I’m lucky I did.
As soon as I walk inside, I find Amelia and my new friend, Paige D’Angelo, busting moves on the dance floor, and that’s where I’m meant to be. Shaking my hips, I sidle up to them and grin.
“What have I missed?”
“Nothing much.” Paige shrugs. “I think Dad’s going to do his grand speech soon, but otherwise this is it.”
“Well, I happen to love this.”
Paige and I became fast friends when we met at the guys’ game a few weeks back. I wasn’t ashamed to admit I’ve been stalking her for a few years on social media, and lucky for me, she didn’t mind. She often posts about her charity work, and tonight, she’s proven it’s not just for show, putting on an amazing event for the team.
Amelia glances around, her eyes narrowed, and I have no doubt she’s trying to work out where I came from. “Where have you been?” she asks, right on cue. “What didImiss?” She raises her eyebrows.
“Just talking to a friend.”
“A friend?” She sucks her lips into her mouth, but it’s impossible to miss her knowing smile. Busted. I’m going to have to add Amelia to my Reed bubble.
Shaking my head, I change the subject, moving the attention back to Paige. “Any guys take your fancy, Paige?”
“Huh?” She frowns as though in a few short seconds her mind had drifted elsewhere.
“Never mind.” I think she just answered my question, but who has she found?
“Where’s that man of yours, Amelia? He owes me a—”
“Jack-O’-Lantern. You’re back.” Enter the man of the hour, Luke. Never too far from his wife's side.
“I’m back. Andyouowe me a shot.”
“That I do. A bet is a bet. But…” He trails off and I roll my eyes. I bet Luke that he couldn’t walk past a mirror without checking himself out, and it took him all of three minutes to fail. “In fairness, I didn’t realize the mirror was there.”
“It was in our hallway, Luke,” Amelia points out, taking my side.
“Yes, but it’s the one you put up last week. Sue me for forgetting.”
“Either way.” I raise my empty hands and signal toward the bar, making Amelia laugh.
Luke huffs in fake amusement before he reluctantly darts off to the bar, looking as grumpy as Easton—like the drinks aren’t all free—and when he returns, he has shots for everyone, and he’s brought friends. “Ladies, this is our newest rookie, Landon. And you know the other guys.” He gestures to Rhett and Carter, who I spent a lot of time with at my wrap party. “And East—” Before he’s even finished his name, Easton wanders away, adding to the proof that he’s not a social guy.
With a shrug of his shoulders, Luke moves his attention back to the rookie. “Landon, this is my beautiful wife, Amelia,” he introduces her. “And these are her friends.” He shrugs and Amelia lightly punches his arm, beating me to it.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Landon,” Amelia says sweetly. “This is Hayley, and this is your owner’s daughter, Paige. She’s responsible for this amazing event.”
“Nice to meet you all. And Paige, you’ve done a great job. For my first big fundraiser, it’s a memorable one.”
“Thank you, Landon.”
His eyes flash to mine and he smiles shyly, prompting me to wink before I turn to Rhett. “Want to dance?” I ask, already holding out my hand.
“You betcha.” He spins me into his hold and I let out a squeal as my gaze finds Reed walking toward the group. He shakes his head with a grin and I smile back, our eyes locked until Bria rushes to catch up with him, dragging his attention away.
“How many dances do I get?” Rhett asks, drawing my gaze back to his. “Because if it’s just one, let me request something.”
“You can have as many dances as you want, Rhett. I’m not going anywhere.”
