right now if he asked?
“Something wrong?”
“Frankly, I’m surprised you remember me.”
“Of course, I do. If you hadn’t come tonight, I would’ve asked Morgan for your number.”
“Why?”
“Maybe because you’re gorgeous.”
“Right.” Now I know he’s full of crap. “My brown hair and hazel eyes drew you to me?”
“You hair is coffee with cream and your eyes are actually green. We won’t get into what I think of your body. At least not here.”
I roll my eyes at his flattery. “I think I need to sit.”
“That’s twice you’ve done that.”
“Done what?”
“Rolled your eyes at me. I know you remember the day in your apartment’s parking lot. I delivered you ladies home after your shopping trip and helped you out of the limo. You walked away but stopped and looked back and our eyes locked. You felt it. I know you did.”
“I can’t argue that but that was a long time ago.” I like he’s persistent.
“My body would recognize yours regardless of how long it had been.”
I couldn’t argue that point either so for once, I keep my mouth shut. We weave our way through the crowd to Morgan and Zack.
Morgan jumps out of her chair and grabs me like we hadn’t talked yesterday. She’s beaming at her husband as he stands and hugs me too. If there’s such a thing as the perfect couple it’s Morgan and Zack. He stands then leans over, and kisses his wife.
“Chels, keep my wife company while Taylor and I make the rounds. I want to be sure I’ve introduced him to everyone.”
“Hold up, Zack.” Taylor mouths the word, “sorry” to me and hands me his beer. “Will you hang onto this for me?”
“Of course.”
“And have dinner with me before I step into this new position?”
“I’d like that.” I’m shocked and pleased.
He winks and walks away with Zack. I sit my wine and Taylor’s beer on the table between me and Morgan and stretch out on the empty chair.
“Holy shit.” Morgan swings her feet to the tile flooring, reaches over, and smacks me on the arm. “He was eye fucking you right before he walked away.”
A light goes off in my brain. “You told him I thought he was hot, didn’t you?”
She tucks her legs into a yoga pose and shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe Kayla mentioned it.”
I mimic her position so we’re sitting face to face. “One of you set me up. How embarrassing. That’s why he nabbed me the second I walked through the front door. He thinks he’s doing you and his new employer a favor.”
“Who grabbed you? Do I need to kick his ass?” A breathtakingly gorgeous man perches on the foot of my chair. He tilts his head and a lock off thick wavy black hair falls onto his forehead. He stares at me with pale blue eyes.
I met Slider at Zack and Morgan’s wedding rehearsal and wedding, but this is the closest I’ve been to him. With his reputation this may be too close.
“I believe we’ve met.”
“Yes, we have. Nobody grabbed me, but thanks for offering to come to my rescue.” I extend my hand which he wraps his strong fingers around. “Chelsea Coffman, or Chels, either one works.”
“Justin Locke, or Slider, either one works.” He doesn’t return my hand. Instead he moves closer while his thumb strokes the underside of my wrist. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you at the wedding, but you are stunning.”
“Thank you.” I stare at him dumbfounded. I’ve heard all about this man, except no one told me he could make angles cry with his smile.
“Slider,” Morgan says. “Turn loose of my friend’s hand.”
He releases me, stands, and walks over to her, and kisses the top of her head. “Great party.”
“Thank you.” She pets the side of his face like he’s a puppy. “I’m glad you came.”
“I always do.” His gaze returns to me and I sit there speechless at his double entendre.
“Don’t hit on Chels,” Morgan says. “Not tonight.”
His gaze meets mine. “Not tonight,” he repeats Morgan with an audible sigh. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll head to the bar.”
“It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too. I’d like to show you Gallants, soon.”
I force my jaw to stay in place as he walks away. The second he’s out of hearing range, I turn to Morgan. “How did I not notice before that he looks a lot like Superman?”
She shakes her head and waves off my comment. “He doesn’t even have a cleft chin.”
“What? Well, that’s all he’s missing.”
“You need to stay away from him.