Page 57 of Last Chance Seduction
I knew that.
He knew that.
And part of me wondered what we’d do now that the base of whatever relationship this was happened to be based on a lie.
I just hoped that base wouldn’t crumble.
A laugh broke me out of my thoughts, and I turned back to Dash’s story, immediately caught up in the warmth of the table.
Gia long forgotten.
Though the lie still lurked beneath.
“No really, green hair,” Dash said as he leaned back into his chair, wine in hand.“With purple stripes.”
I looked over at Lex, grateful for the distraction, and raised a brow.“How did I not know this?”I asked, warm with my single glass of wine and full after a wonderful dinner.
“It was only for a weekend, and it was very, very temporary dye.I lost a bet, and the rival colors of our college team were apparently Barney colors.”
“Are there photos?”Reece asked, his grin wide, the lines at the edges of his eyes wrinkling.
I didn’t know everybody at the table, but we were a party of fifteen on Christmas Eve.As it was a friend of a friend’s restaurant, Lexington and the others had long-time reservations.And everybody who worked here not only got double their normal rate, they all had plans later as a group to celebrate their holidays.
“There are no photos,” Lex said primly.
“I don’t know if I believe you,” I said quickly.
“I’m telling you, there’s none.”
Brooklyn looked over at me, eyes bright.“You’re just going to have to take his phone later.Distract him.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?”I laughed.
“Just show him your boobs, and he’ll give you anything,” Dash said deadpan, and I blushed so hard I could feel heat radiating from my cheeks.
“You’re lucky I don’t throw food in public, Dash,” Lex growled.“And I thought everybody knew I was an ass man,” he said so primly, that I snorted into my wine.
“You know, I’m learning so much about the Montgomerys, I’m a little worried,” Duke said as Brooklyn leaned into him, looking so happy that I could practically see stars and hearts popping above each of their heads.
“You know, it’s getting late, and I should probably get home,” Reece said after a moment, and I turned to the man I didn’t know as well as the others.Mostly because he wasn’t dating a Montgomery and just happened to work with them.Honestly, I was surprised he’d even come tonight, but Dash had apparently dragged him.
Lex ran his fingers along my arm, rubbing back and forth as little shivers slid down my spine.I clenched my thighs together, wondering why just a simple touch would do this to me.But as he looked down at me, his pupils dilated, I swallowed hard.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one wondering how tonight would end.
“You’re right,” Lex said after he cleared his throat.“Let’s head out, let the staff have this table, and call it an early night.It is Christmas Eve after all.I know we all have plans tomorrow.”
We all stood, said our goodbyes, and headed out to our cars.Each of us had only had a single glass of wine and mostly water all night.So even though snow was slowly beginning to fall, we were all okay to get home.
Reece looked over at us, then at the others who had slowly left the table, and then turned towards his car, the one parked the farthest away.
“I know many of the people who came tonight were your friends, but I was surprised Reece was here,” I said, voicing my thoughts from earlier.
“He likes to keep his personal life close to the vest, so I don’t know why he came, other than Dash probably forced him into it.My cousin’s good at that.”
“Brooklyn pretty much dragged me out too.Not that I’m not having fun,” I added quickly.
“But a quiet night at home would’ve been nice too,” he whispered before brushing his lips along mine.
