Page 30 of A Way Out
And seriously, why was she even wondering?
It wasn’t like it was going to happen.
Chapter Eleven
Two mimosas in and Maria was tipsy. Probably not enough to be noticeable to anyone else, but Oz could tell.
Her cheeks were more rosy than usual—which he hated because he really liked the way the color brightened her eyes. And she hadn’t stopped smiling or laughing for at least half an hour. Nothing wrong with that, although normally she was far more serious than this.
He had no issue with serious Maria—unfortunately, none at all—but playful, teasing, flirtatious Maria was a whole different kind of drug, and it was doing things to his system he’d thought he had under control.
He was wrong.
Cash asked for the check and thankfully would not allow Maria to pay, despite her lunging for the little slip of paper like she would have tackled him had there not been a table between them.
Once that was settled, they slid out of the booth and left the restaurant. Oz lifted Riley into his arms, and Maria batted her eyes at him in an exaggerated manner.
“That is so-o-o-o sexy,” she whispered.
Oz glanced at Travis and Cash, who were far enough ahead of them that they probably hadn’t heard. Thank goodness.
“I’m going to hit the head,” Travis called out, pointing at the restrooms.
“We should too,” Maria said. “Use the restroom, I mean. Not hit our heads.” She laughed at her own pretty lame joke.
Since Travis had already disappeared into the men’s room and Cash was leaning against the wall staring down at his phone, Oz asked, “What’s sexy?” It was a dumb question, mostly because he didn’t want to know the answer. But wait, if he knew, he could avoid doing it in the future, right?
“The way you are with Riley,” Maria said. “You’re so sweet. And affectionate. Like you really care about her. You’re such a caring man.” He swore there were little cartoon hearts in her eyes as she smiled at him.
Well, hell. He certainly wasn’t going to stop doing that. Because he did care about the little girl. Plus, she was an adorable kid. Hard not to be nice and affectionate toward her.
“Uh, you want me to stay with the luggage while you two use the ladies’ room?” he asked.
“That would be great.” She was still smiling. She dropped a gigantic purse onto her rolling bag and took Riley from his arms before leaning in and giving him an awkward hug. “I like hugging you. You’re all hard and strong and soft too.”
Christ. She walked away, and he willed a certain part of his body not to get hard. Note: don’t let her have more than one drink at Holly and Sam’s wedding. He wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Cash wandered over. “You going to tap that?”
“Jesus, man. She’s Holly’s sister.”
“So?”
Oz gritted his teeth. “No.”
Damn it.
By the time they’d all used the facilities, their flight was boarding. Not only were they traveling with a small child, but Maria had also sprung for first class, so she, Oz, and Riley were practically first on the plane.
It was such a weird experience. Oz had never flown before, and his very first time was in first class, with a tipsy woman and a fidgety toddler. Although he supposed he could appreciate not having to go all the way to the back of the plane with a young child in tow.
He figured Maria would seat her daughter between them, but nope, she sent Riley scrambling over the seats to the one by the window, then she took the middle, leaving Oz to sit on the aisle.
Right next to Maria.
Before he could process any of this, a flight attendant asked for their drink orders. Maria immediately asked for another mimosa.
“Just water, thanks,” Oz said.
