“Does that mean I’m your bestie too now?” I tease, bumping his hip.
“Something like that.” He chuckles.
I glance at a group of guys as they walk in. Some are promising, that’s for sure. I lean over to whisper in Gunner’s ear as if anyone is paying attention to us. “Do you still have those wingman skills you bragged about forever ago?”
“Oh, you want to find out?” He rubs his hands together. “Point me at a man and watch me work for you, Val.”
I look around, trying to see if any guy immediately catches my eye. Instead, I get caught up in the event itself. It’s some kind of silent auction which means rich people are tying their pride to their wallets and happily one-upping each other. I bet none of them bid at the exact price of the things. They go over, just to show they can.
I’d love a class specifically on studying the psychology of different classes of people. The way it can cause social dilemmas and fundamentally alter experiences and sense of self. People watching is the best form of casual study. The way people interact, where they place importance, and the way they hold themselves, says so much about where they are mentally. It’s so entertaining to me.
Like Gunner, looking around while sipping from his drink, craning his neck, then smiling at me when I catch him and pausing to down his whole glass. If I didn’t know better I would say he’s waiting for someone else and doesn’t want me to know.
“Who else has been invited?”
“Half of the upper class in D.C.” He shrugs.
“Don’t avoid the question.”
“Would you rather I finally strip for you? Is that what tonight is about? Trying to see me shirtless after all this time because you couldn’t at the strip club?” He smirks.
I drum my fingers on the table. The quieter I am, the more he’ll spill. As predicted, he fills the silence. “It’s not like I know every millionaire, just a lot of them. And you cross paths enough times and you start to see familiar faces, you might even see some tonight.”
“You’re being extra cagy tonight.” I point out. “Can’t you just tell me what I’m in for? It won’t kill you.”
“Youhopeit won’t kill me.” He teases. “But you’d feel really bad if it did.”
Trying the silent stare again, he just narrows his eyes and focuses on me like we’re having a staring contest. I shake my head. “Just tell me. I’m not a fan of suspense.”
“Consider it a surprise.”
I take a drink from my glass and rub the back of my neck. “I-”
“Shouldn’t you be wandering around, finding some man you want me to seduce on your behalf? Not to brag, but I’m pretty good at getting friends laid.” He laughs.
I’m tempted to, but he has me all kinds of distracted with how shifty he is. Gunner loves surprising people, I know that. He’s also all about enjoying a moment when he sees an opportunity.
“I’m focused at the moment.” I follow his look to the entrance. “You have a secret and I want in.”
“Of course I do. I have the best secrets. I think you want another drink more, though.” He stares at my glass for a while. “Gin tonic.”
With that, he’s up and headed toward the open bar. I’m not going to like whoever is going to join us at the table. He’s made that clear, or he’d be bouncing in his seat, excited beyond belief and unable to keep it to himself. I just have to put the hints together. He said something about familiar faces. But he doesn’t know my friends and other than Sophie’s three other husbands, I don’t know his.
So, I would have only met them at the few things we’ve done together. Holden’s birthday party or the wedding. That limits things pretty intensely.
Something uncomfortable pricks at my brain. I bite my thumb nail for a second, then I get it. It’s so obvious. I swallow hard and shoot a glare in Gunner’s direction. He raises a glass to me with that damn smirk on his face. Three people come to mind and it’s a big, intimidating, overwhelming hell no.
HUNTER
“Is that Valerie?” I ask, nudging Chase.
He follows my gaze to the girl with dark hair and a sexy black dress. Cleavage on display, full-back showing tempting skin, the frustrated purse of her lips.
“Doesn’t look like the Valerie I left at the wedding,” He says smugly.
I elbow him hard. He’s made it inescapably clear that he fucked her, twice. I got the first kiss, but he got the home run. Lief joins us while pocketing his phone. “We good?”
“Got the all-clear.” He agrees. “I’m on call.”