Page 89 of Reckless Storm
“Thanks, Bria.” His returning smile widens. “I’m happy for us too.”
“Good. Good.” She smiles again and it’s all smiles round here.
Feeling like they need a moment, I glance away to find a guy hovering uncomfortably close beside us. I’m just about to not so politely tell him to buzz off when Bria reaches for his hand and pulls him to her side. “I didn’t want to be the third wheel all night. So I brought a friend from work. Reed and Hayley, this is Andreas. Andreas, this is my best friend, Reed, and his new girlfriend, Hayley.” She introduces me like we’re old friends when technically we haven’t officially met. But I think that moment has passed.
“Nice to meet you both.” Andreas speaks in a thick Greek accent and Bria’s eyes light up as he does. “This is a beautiful party. Thank you for having me.”
“Thank you for coming,” I say like it’s my function before adding, “and keeping Bria company.” Because that’s the most important part.
There are more awkward smiles and it’s then that I notice Reed hasn’t said a word. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him smiling, but it’s impossible to tell if it’s real unless I look his way, and I don’t want to draw attention to it.
“We’re going to go and dance,” Bria says, linking her arm through Andreas’s, her gaze bouncing between mine and Reed’s. “But Hayley, we shoulddefinitelychat later. I can give you some tips onhandlingReed.”
I throw my head back and laugh out loud, hitting her with what I’m sure she believes is genuine warmth while her wordsdon’t sit well in my chest. Something about the way she said “handled” has a pit forming in my stomach. But I ignore it. My feelings could just as easily stem from my distrust of women in general over Bria’s actual motives, and I need to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“I can’t wait.” I act the part, my smile widening.
Bria and Andreas disappear after that, and it’s so crowded, we barely see them for the next couple of hours, spending most of our time mingling with the football team or dancing in the next room—me, not Reed. Like always, he hovers on the edge of the dance floor, chatting with his mates, watching, laughing at my expense.
Bria’s barely in our presence, and yet, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling of someone watching us. It started not long after they left, but whenever I glance around the room, she’s nowhere to be seen.
It’s a little unnerving. But I refuse to let it ruin my night.
“I need water,” I shout over the music, using Reed as a support structure while I catch my breath. “I’m dying.” I fan my face.
“Well, you have been head thumping like nobody’s business.”
“Honestly, I was not expecting that style of music. Someone must have requested it.”
“You were loving it.” He shakes his head, calling me out as though I’m denying it, but he’s wrong.
“Oh, I absolutely was. But I can’t keep that up all night. I need some pop. Music that allows me to shake my ass.”
“You were doing that too.” He bites back a smirk and I grin.
“I knew you were watching.”
“How could I not? You were shaking your ass atme.”
He’s not wrong. I’ve been having fun flirting, making it known that I have a man to anyone that’ll listen.
“Want me to grab you a drink?” Reed asks, ever the gentleman.
“Nah. I want usbothto go. I need a break.”
He nods before curling his arm around my shoulder, careful not to muss my already ruined hair, sweetly pretending he hasn’t noticed the matted mess it’s become from the “head banging” I was doing.
Paige and her dad are at the bar when we arrive, and the second I see him, I grin excitedly. “Daddy D’Angelo. How are you?”
All eyes flash my way as Paige snorts. “Jesus.” I press my fingers to my mouth. “I said that out loud, and I’m not even drunk. Apologies, Mr. D’Angelo. I’m a friend of Paige’s.”
“Dad, this is Hayley,” Paige introduces me. “The actress I was telling you about.”
“Ah, yes. Hi, Hayley. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise. And you know—”
“Reed, how are you?” Salvatore smiles. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to cramp your party style. I’m just picking up Paige since Easton had to sneak out early.”
