Page 12 of Off Camera
His mouth twitches. “Dungeons & Dragons.”
I file that under the handful of things I know about him from the short time we spent together. He’s smart. Nerdy and quiet until you get him talking about something he’s passionate about, then he goes a mile a minute.
“I didn’t realize role-playing games were used to determine best man status.”
“They are in my friend group.” Reid pushes himself off me and stands. He holds out a hand, and I let him pull me up on two feet. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Right back at you. This is a surprise. A good surprise,” I add.
“Wow.” He takes a step back and looks me up and down. It’s slow and drawn out, a thorough investigation as he takes his time. His attention snags on the slit of my black dress, the cut in the fabric that comes halfway up my thigh, and he makes a strangled sound from deep in his chest. “You look great.”
If he’s going to admire me so brazenly, I’m going to admire him right back.
His tuxedo is form-fitting, and I catch the glimmer of cufflinks on his sleeves. He still has that same scruff on his cheeks and jaw, but his hair is less messy than it was the other night. His glasses are the same, and he adjusts them on his nose when I lift my chin.
Lord,he’s hot.
My profession awards me the opportunity to be around good-looking men. The multimillionaires who have no shame in spending money on products and clothes that will assert them as best dressed or hottest in the locker room.
I’m the one to capture videos of them shirtless and sweaty, beads of perspiration dripping down the muscles women dream about. One upload to TikTok and it would break the internet. They’re all cocky. Sure of themselves. Womanizers who’ve never had to work to get the attention of a female.
I’ve already gathered that Reid is different.
He’s shy. Hesitant in believing he could hold the titles of good-looking and most attractive. A guy who would rather fade into the background than steal the spotlight.
Butgosh, he could be the star of the show.
“So do you.” I wring my hands together. I’ve never been so nervous around a man before, but the intense way he’s lookingat me makes my words catch in my throat. Pressure expands behind my lungs, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “It’s good to see you again.”
He nods, eyes still firmly on mine. “You too.”
Silence settles between us again.
I rock forward on my heels and smooth my palms over the front of my dress. I’m tempted to give him more of an explanation about why I had to run the other night. I want to open the door to my life, but I’m not sure where to start.
“Shouldn’t you be downstairs?” I finally ask, changing the subject.
“Shit.” Reid checks the watch clasped around his wrist. “They’re going to kill me.”
“I’m sorry for keeping you for so long.”
“Don’t apologize. If I was going to accidentally assault anyone in the hallway, I’m glad it was you.”
A laugh tumbles out of me, light and free. “I’m the one who should be blamed for assault. I was fixing my shoe, and I got distracted.”
“Call it even by saving me a dance later?”
“I’d like that,” I say. “But I’m disappointed you’re not wearing Crocs.”
“I’m breaking them out for the reception. Then boat shoes for the after party.”
“I can’t wait to see the photos inGQ.”
“Want to go down together?” he asks, then winces. “Sorry. I mean take the elevator down. To the lobby. Where the wedding is happening. I didn’t mean?—”
“Sure,” I say, saving him the embarrassment. “Why not? We’re going to the same place.”
He rests his hand on my lower back and guides me forward. His palm is warm on my skin, and the dip in my dress gives him plenty of space to touch me freely.
