Page 42 of Come Apart
She smiles at everyone, but I can see the anxiety still brewing in her eyes, in the tight grip she keeps on my hand.
But she gets through it.
Still, she stays out only long enough to be polite.
And keep Laurie away from what I assume is trouble.
"I'm going to have to make sure Laurie doesn't try to sleep with Danny... not that I can blame her. He's hot."
"Excuse me?"
I look over in the direction she's focused in, taking in the generically handsome guy flirting with Laurie.
She throws her head back and laughs at something he says.
"Doesn't seem like she wants to be saved," I observe wryly. "You think that guy's hot?"
She chuckles.
"Not as hot as you, but still... not bad."
I mime her favoriteLaw and Orderquote. "I'll allow it, but you better watch yourself, Summers."
She laughs, a big belly laugh. "Make me."
I have a quick flash of some of the things I want to do to her.
None of which are fit for public consumption.
"Maybe once we're alone."
Her cheeks flush in reaction, her eyes darkening.
But then they dart away from me again, back towards Laurie.
"One second," she murmurs, hurrying away.
I turn to watch her expertly deflect Danny away from Laurie and towards another willing young woman.
Laurie looks put out, but only briefly.
It doesn't take her long to get involved in conversation with someone else.
Then Alyssa is right back with me, tugging me back to her bedroom.
"Impressive."
"I have some experience," she tosses over her shoulder.
I bet.
She's the bell of the ball, so she has to interact as we move, but she does with an expertise that doesn't leave anyone feeling slighted.
That's an art in itself.
I have the urge to shove a couple of people away myself.
Finally, we make it to the bedroom.
