Page 74 of Meet Me In The Dark
“Paint what?”
“Anything. Usually scenery. I could sit in front of a canvas for hours.”
“But you don’t anymore?”
I shake my head. “Not in a really long time.”
His gaze lingers on me, heavy enough to feel like a touch.
With a casual tilt of his chin, he directs my attention toward a couple standing near the bar.
“See Mr. Callahan over there with his lovely wife?”
“Uh huh.”
“Well, Mrs. Callahan has book club on Wednesday nights, and Mr. Callahan takes the opportunity to bang Mrs. Feldman, just over there by the ice sculpture.”
My eyes widen so fast I nearly sprain something. “No!”
“Oh, yes.”
“You’re making that up.”
“Wish I was. And over there,” he says, dropping his voice, “is Mrs. Eldridge. Rumor has it she spent last summer in Cabo with her tennis instructor. Came backwith a suspiciously better backhand.”
“You are a closet gossip,” I say, barely stifling a laugh. “How do you know so much?”
“People talk. I just happen to listen.”
“Uh-huh,” I tease. “It’s that damn smile of yours, isn’t it? I bet people spill secrets at your feet just hoping you’ll flash it.”
“You give me far too much credit.”
I lean in. “Be honest. How many women in this room have dropped their panties for that smile?”
“Celeste!” he says, feigning offense.
“What?” I shrug innocently, laughter shaking my voice. “It’s a legitimate question.”
“None.”
“Oh, please.”
“None,” he insists, expression suddenly thoughtful. “Wait. There is one. The stunning brunette.”
My curiosity spikes.
I crane my neck, almost rising onto tiptoes. “Where?”
“Right there. Red dress. Incredible ass.”
“Where?” I snap, squinting hard into the crowd. “I can’t—”
He clears his throat, waiting until I look up at him.
When our eyes finally meet, he arches one perfect brow. “Right.There.”
It takes me half a beat too long, but then my mouth drops open. “Oh, you—Oh, you’re good,” I admit, shaking my head. “Very smooth.”
