Blind Spot - Katana Collins Page 0,62

glass to mine, holding it up. “To best friends and the guys that can never come between them.”

I nodded, taking a sip. “Speaking of—Tate really is supposed to help me study tonight. We have a test tomorrow.”

Reagan took a glance at her watch. “It’s only six. Why don’t we all—and by that, I mean you, me, Harrison, and Tate—have a few drinks, and then Harrison and I will leave you to it.”

I took a deep breath. “I don’t know how well that’ll go over with the boys, but in theory, it’s a good idea.”

“You’re a loveable girl that both boys feel territorial over. What’d you expect to happen?”

I rolled my eyes. “Harrison doesn’t love me that way.”

She shrugged and sipped her wine. “As if that matters. Besides…Tate gave Harrison tiny éclairs for Christ’s sake, Shelby. Tiny éclairs.”

“So?” I sent her a questioning look and she rolled her eyes in spite of me with a snort.

“No guy wants another man’s leftovers.”

I laughed. “I know there’s an innuendo in there somewhere, but I’m afraid to ask.”

Reagan patted my head, pushing her bottom lip out in a pout. “Oh, sweet Shelby.”

Ten minutes of chitchat and catching up flew by. Man, I didn’t realize how much I missed our girl time until now. I wasn’t intentionally ignoring them, but it was easy to let friendships slip when you were consumed with lust.

A knock on the door cut us off in the middle of a giggle fit, and Reagan hopped up to answer, finding Tate and Harrison outside, locked in a glaring showdown.

As soon as the door was open, Tate’s attention turned to me, then he glanced at Reagan. “I didn’t realize this was going to be a party.”

“We were surprising Shelby,” Reagan said, beaming at all of us with her full wattage smile. She took Harrison’s hand, tugging him inside, and he handed me a bouquet of peonies with a kiss on the cheek.

“I know they’re your favorite. And I felt like I needed to apologize for my grumpiness the last couple weeks,” he said quietly.

“Thanks, Harrison.” I filled a vase with water and tucked the flowers inside, pretty sure Reagan had instructed him to bring them to me.

“Shelby and I thought it’d be fun to all share a bottle of wine and get to know each other a little before your study session.”

“Sounds good to me,” Tate said, sauntering toward me. “So long as we get some studying in for that French test tomorrow.” He tapped a finger to the tip of my nose. The air between us crackled as he moved in, pressing his lips to mine in a quick but tender kiss.

“Studying, huh?” Harrison’s low voice was quiet, but I jumped at it all the same. “Then you won’t mind if I join you?” His brow lifted right along with his smirk. “Since I’m in the same class, too, and all.”

Tate’s hands on my hips tightened. “If you feel you need the help, absolutely.” Then, looking over my shoulder, he sent a grin to Reagan. “Is it French wine, at least? We sorta have a theme going here…”

She shrugged, looking at the label. “Um, Château Diana. Sounds French, right?”

He laughed and held up a “wait a minute” finger. “I’ll be right back.” Backing out the door, he rushed down the hallway and onto the elevator. As soon as the door shut behind him, Reagan was on her feet, smacking Harrison’s shoulder, and I was on the other one.

“Ow, ow!” he shouted, covering his head. “What the hell?”

“What the hell? What the hell?” I repeated. Was he really asking that? He had to know he was being a complete dick. Instead of answering his question, I kept hitting him.

And thank God for Reagan, who jumped in on my behalf. “Harrison Richard Thomson, I swear to God, I promised our best friend a civilized night where we’d share a couple glasses of wine and be on our way. If you do not give us that, I swear by all things holy—”

“Okay, okay.” He raked a hand through his hair, rubbing his shoulder and looking back and forth between both of us. “Shit.”

“What’s your problem, anyway?” I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes.

Harrison shook his head. “I just think he seems a little…I dunno. Slimy.” He shrugged. “But you seem happy. For the first time in—” He swallowed hard and held my stare.

There was another soft knock and Tate let himself back in, holding up a bottle. “Now this is wine. If we’re gonna