Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I could feel him watching me, so I wasn’t surprised by his smirk. “You’re like a kid on your first trip to Disney.”
I made a face at him. “Shut it.”
It was no surprise that the friends he met at the restaurant—Dennis and Tyler—were older and elegant. Both had similarly styled brown hair, and Dennis had striking blue eyes. Rowan introduced me as his assistant, and perhaps for the first time, I felt the ten-year age difference between us as they scrutinized me.
We slipped into our seats across from the two men, and Dennis said, “Now I can see what all the fuss is about.”
Rowan glanced in my direction and clenched his jaw. “Brett said something, didn’t he?”
“Of course. He’s always been a huge gossip. Especially about himself.”
“So…?” Tyler asked, leaning forward conspiratorially. “Was it all a setup or for real? Because Shae is adorable.”
I dipped my head as Rowan made a noise in the back of his throat, and he looked unsure how to respond. “Let’s just say we…”
“It was all me,” I blurted out. “Brett and his pretty date needed to be shown how it’s done.”
They laughed, and Dennis clapped excitedly. “Oooh, I like this one.”
I enjoyed how Rowan’s eyes crinkled as he relaxed against his seat.
I sipped my drink as they caught up on their lives, and I mostly listened, even though much of it was industry talk. I was more interested in any Rowan stories, especially the ones that made him sound lighthearted, which didn’t seem possible. But I did notice that the more wine was poured, the more uninhibited he became with the gossip about certain designers.
“His fall collection is positively drab compared to the spring,” Rowan was saying, and his friends concurred.
When his warm thigh pressed against mine, he didn’t move away, and neither did I, enjoying the contact.
After dinner was served, I asked how they all knew each other while trying to avoid any small-town stories about myself. Turned out it was from work—Dennis used to be a model, Tyler an actor—and they’d stayed in touch over the years.
They chatted on, and I listened with half an ear while enjoying my blackened shrimp with lemon butter sauce so much that I practically licked my plate clean. But I didn’t want to embarrass Rowan.
I didn’t even spill any drinks on me, so I’d call it a good dinner.
Just as the check arrived, I got a text from Tony.
Meet us at the Male Box.
See you soon, I quickly texted back.
15
After Rowan and his friends said their goodbyes, we headed toward the exit.
“I called for my own car so I can meet Tony. I still think you should come.”
“I…I haven’t been to a club since my twenties.”
“Oh, so decades ago.” I nudged him. “Stop acting like you’re so old.”
“It’s not that…” He twisted a stray lock near his temple. “It’s just not my scene.”
Ah, so the truth came out. No wonder he was so bristly that night I went to a club with Casey. Now I was curious what had turned him off about it all. Not that everyone had to like bars. To each their own and all that.
“C’mon, I’ll show you how the kids do it.” I tugged on his arm as my ride pulled to the curb. “And I promise we can leave whenever you’re ready.”
“No way. I wouldn’t want to ruin your night,” he said, so I threw him my best pouty lip, not sure why I was trying so hard. He scoffed. “Okay, fine.”
“Glad my charm works on someone,” I said as I slid into the back seat of the car.
“Oh, it works all right,” he muttered as he got situated beside me, and my smile widened.
The club was loud, and I could see him cringe in my side view. Was it the music or the whole scene? After all, there were two stages featuring fit men dancing in little more than swim briefs. Freaking hot, in my opinion. But Rowan would probably prefer a lavish party starring high-end fashions, where he could order his beloved bubbly wine and sip to his heart’s content.
“I see Tony and his friends.” I pointed to the dance floor. “Let’s join them.”
“I…I don’t dance.” He glanced toward the exit. “I told you this was a bad idea.”
“No, it’s totally fine.” I certainly didn’t want him to bolt. “How about you get us some drinks, and I’ll meet you at the bar.”
Rowan seemed okay with that, so I made a beeline for Tony, who was shocked I’d shown up with Rowan. “I had to twist his arm,” I admitted, and Tony laughed.
After dancing to a couple of songs, I searched for Rowan near the bar. He was people-watching while sipping wine from a stemless glass, and he looked so out of place that I momentarily felt guilty for dragging him here.