"You have anything good?"
"You think I'd skimp for Walker's birthday?" He folds his arms. "I only have good shit."
"Should I measure your love by how much you spent on booze?" She looks to Ryan. "What if he loves Walker more?"
Ryan shrugs. "Never doubted that."
"Really?" She tilts her head to one side. "You're okay with your brother loving his BFF more than he loves you?"
Again, Ryan shrugs.
She shoots me a look. You buying this?
Dean laughs. "He's just playing hard to get." He reaches out and musses Ryan's hair. Despite being the younger brother, he's about two inches taller than Ryan.
"Hey." Ryan fixes his hair. "I know you're desperate for any edge you can get, but don't fuck with the hair."
"An edge?" Dean cocks a brow. "Really?"
"Yeah. We both know all the women here are looking at me," Ryan says.
"Say they are? What's it matter? You haven't looked twice at a girl since… it's a party. I'm not gonna bring her up." He turns to Leighton. "Usual?"
She nods. "Yes, please." But there's something in her voice. A frustration. Her gaze shifts to Ryan. She studies him like her life depends on it.
He takes a long sip of his drink and lets out a soft sigh.
Her teeth sink into her lip.
She's into a guy she'll never have.
And Ryan is still heartbroken over his ex.
That must be it.
Dean turns to me. "What's your poison?"
"Just orange juice, thanks." I force a smile.
Dean shoots me a curious look, but he still turns and moves to the bar.
Leighton makes a point of pulling her gaze away from Ryan. "How long has it been now? You and Walker?"
"A few months." I do a quick check of the math in my head.
Her eyes get dreamy. "Damn. I never thought I'd see the day. You two look good together."
"Everyone knows that." Walker steps toward us. He goes straight to me. Slides his arms around my waist. Brings his lips to my ear. "Tell me you're not wearing anything under that dress." He drags his fingertips over my hips, feeling for panties.
"Would you really want to know that?" My skin buzzes from his touch. "You have to wait."
He shakes his head and motions to the back room.
Dean clears his throat. He hands a drink to me, hands another to Leighton, sips the third.
Walker shoots him a really? Look.
Dean nods. "Yeah. Make it really fucking loud. You know I only watch amateur porn."