Page 14 of Midnights
Her carefree energy is infectious. It's the kind of recklessness that makes it really hard to argue even when I know I should.
I roll my eyes. “I said I’dthinkabout having a drink on this trip, not that I’d get trashed the first night we’re here.”
Rachel smiles. “No time like the present. One drink isn’t going to kill you. Live a little!”
I glance around, spotting an open barrel table with two stools in the middle of the room. It’s the only unclaimed spot left, positioned right in the heart of all the action, and perfect for people watching.
A burst of cheers erupts into laughter and one of the guys steps forward to yank the dart from the board, grinning like he just won the lottery. I can't look away. Even though I try to act like I’m not blatantly staring.
I never really understood the appeal of darts. Seems like a stupid game. Throw things at a board, keep score, repeat. What’s the big deal? But judging by the sheer intensity of this match, there’s obviously something I’m missing.
An added bonus is that every single one of these guys is ridiculously good-looking.
I don’t even realize I’m still staring until Rachel’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“Careful, love, you’re drooling,” she teases, slipping into her dramatically perfected British accent.
I blink, feeling my cheeks heat slightly. My own body is selling me out.
“I amnot,” I protest, swatting her away.
She’s still grinning, holding out a napkin as if she’s doing me a favor. Her eyes practically sparkle with amusement, and I know, without a doubt, that she’s not going to let this go anytime soon.
“Uh huh.” She tosses me a wink. “Better take this before you make a puddle.”
I snatch the napkin from her with a dramatic sigh. “Oh, come on.” I smile, despite myself. “I was zoning out while listening to their accents. Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you anything about them. That's how little I was paying attention.”
Lie.
Okay,maybe not a complete lie.I had, in fact, been listening to their accents. But I’d also been watching, casually, of course. Admiring theirmuscles, their easy confidence, and the way their laughter rolled through the room.Appreciation, that’s all.Not interest.
Rachel laughs, clearly not buying my excuse for a second. “Oh, well then, in that case, shut up so I can hear. It looks like the guy in the yellow is winning.”
“There’s no guy in yellow.”
The second the words leave my mouth I realize my mistake.
Rachel’s grin spreads. “HA! I knew you were watching!” She practically shrieks, laughing so hard she has to grip my arm for support.
“Rave, you might fool anyone else, but don’t act like you didn’t notice how gorgeous all those guys were,whilelistening to their accents. You’re an excellent fucking multitasker.”
I groan, attempting to turn her away before she draws even more attention to us, but it’s too late. Her cackling has already caught the eye of one of the men.
A guy with dark hair and sharp cheekbones lifts his glass in our direction, a slow, amused smirk tugs at his lips. Shit.
Just great. That’s exactly what we needed. To attract the attention of a bunch of men we don’t know.
Rachel, of course, is delighted.
“Well, of course I noticed, I’m not blind,” I admit with a grin, leaning in slightly so my voice doesn’t carry across the room. “I’m just not available. So I settled for their accents.”
Rachel laughs, clearly unconcerned about my life choices, and turns back to the table. Without missing a beat, she slides a drink in my direction, her smile is downright mischievous.
“Here. Drink this! You’re going to love it.”
I narrow my eyes, inspecting the glass. “Are yousureabout that?” My eyes shift to the two shot glasses on the table.
Oh, hell no.
