He’s hot.
He’s dressed well.
He’s friendly.
Did I mention, hot?
And yet, I hardly see him when
I look at him.
All I see—all I ever see—is Luke’s face.
“What are your plans for the rest of your holiday here?”
I sip some of my vodka and look at the guy sitting across from me—the suit I met when I checked in. I’ve been with him for the last hour and I was ready to leave about fifty-five minutes ago. I’m bored. There’s no spark between us at all and yet I know he wants more time with me. He’s already told me he’s staying here for a week for a conference. I’ve been very cagey about my plans because I don’t want to encourage him.
I check my watch.
Five minutes before the hour is up and I can escape. It would have been rude not to stay for at least an hour.
“I’m actually here for a wedding, so I’m busy with my friends. I think they’ve got nearly every minute scheduled.” I laugh. It’s fake as hell. “I’ll be more exhausted by the end of this holiday than when I arrived.”
His smile fades a little. I think he’s realised he’s got no shot here when he stands and says, “It was great meeting you. I hope we can maybe find some time together in the next few days.” He passes me his business card. “Call me if you’re free.”
I watch as he leaves and then look down at the card.
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
A fucking business card?
I throw it down on the table and drain the vodka from my glass.
“A new friend?”
My heart stumbles over itself as I look up to find Luke sliding into the empty seat across from me.
“Ummm, no… not really… no… God, no.” Good God, I am tongue-tied and my mouth needs to stop opening and words need to stop coming out of it.
He smirks. “I figured as much.”
I shift in my seat, squeezing my legs together. This man still affects me as much as he did when we first met. His cocky attitude is still in place, I see. Some things never change. “How did you figure as much?”
His smirk sits firmly in place and his eyes twinkle. “Baby, it was written all over your body the whole time the jerk was sitting in front of you.”
“Oh really? How?” He’s been watching me all this time?
“When you don’t like someone, but you have to spend time with them, your whole body stiffens into this awkward pose where you kind of lean forward with your back so damn straight it looks like the most uncomfortable position in the world. And you have this strained look on your face that makes me think you’re probably grinding your teeth. And then there’s the way you tap your foot. All dead giveaways.”
I stare at him.
My breathing is shaky and I feel light-headed.
I’m not prepared for this.
I thought I was, but I’m so far from prepared it’s laughable.
When I don’t respond, he leans forward a little. “How are you, Callie?”